Hurricane Gilbert which hit Jamaica in 1988.

The Jamaica Relief Fund raised $232,861 to help repair the ravaged Caribbean island. Bermudians contributed $127,572, and Government $100,000. Bank interest added to the appeal.

But fund chairman the Hon. Sir John Sharpe said just $5,951 remained on deposit at local banks. This, he added, would soon be sent to the Jamaica Red Cross for use at Kingston Public Hospital.

Members of the relief fund committee were Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons, former Community Affairs Minister the Hon. Robert Barritt, honorary representative of the Jamaican Government Mrs. Lois Browne Evans, and the Bermuda Regiment's former Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Gavin Shorto.

Director of the Bermuda Red Cross Mr. Frank Gamble, and chairperson of the Jamaica Independence Committee Mrs. Sonia Durrant Berkeley were also members.

Sir John explained how the appeal cash had been spent. The bulk of it -- $138,000 -- was used to buy building materials, bedding and dry goods for the Mona Rehabilitation Centre. Some $35,000 had gone on two trucks for the Jamaica Red Cross.

And $31,000 was spent on freight and shipping charges, and repairs to Falmouth Hospital by members of the Bermuda Regiment.

The "3 D Project'' for rebuilding disabled people's homes accounted for $15,000.

Sir John pointed out that Bermuda's contribution went a long way to help repairing the ravaged island.

But today, five years later, there are still areas that have not recovered.

Just last month, three former Bermuda Regiment soldiers -- Elmore Barker, Alfred Robinson and Garland Smith -- went to Jamaica and used $4,000 from the fund to complete work at Falmouth Hospital.

They were helped in the project by other Bermuda community groups who donated various supplies, including Pembroke Paint Company who provided a quantity of paint.

The former soldiers received special community service awards for their efforts. Sir John thanked the community for their generous support at Jamaica's "time of need''.

TERRIFIC EFFORT -- Jamaica Relief Fund chairman the Hon. Sir John Sharpe presents community service awards to Mr. Elmore Barker, Pembroke Paint Company representative Mr. John Swift, and Mr. Garland Smith. Back row (from left) are Director of Community and Cultural Affairs Mr. Lowdru Robinson, and Fund Committee members the Hon. Robert Barritt, Mrs. Lois Browne Evans, Lt. Col.

Gavin Shorto and Mr. Frank Gamble.