Sandy Lane Barbados

January 2025

The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust Commemorates 20 Years of Transforming Lives

The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT) celebrated its 20th anniversary in grand style, reflecting on two decades of unwavering commitment to the well-being of children and families across Barbados. Guests were welcomed with a stirring rendition of the national anthem, performed by the Combined School Choir, setting the stage for an unforgettable evening of gratitude and celebration.

Derrick Smith, Grand Patron of SLCT, delivered an impassioned speech, paying tribute to the late Julian Sacher, a Trustee of the Trust for the last 16 years who sadly passed in June 2024. He warmly welcomed Mark Pendry and his daughter, Vivienne Day, as trustees—a moment met with enthusiastic applause. Over the past 20 years, the Trust has raised an astounding BDS $80 million, with notable annual contributions in 2024 being BDS $1.6 million allocated to the Sunshine Village in its 19th year, and BDS $1.2 million dedicated to community projects that provide essential school uniforms, food, and activities for 1,000 struggling families this year alone.

A heartfelt thanks was extended to Diamonds International, which has supported the Trust through auction donations for 20 consecutive years. Mr. Smith emphasized the importance of continued giving and encouraged guests to donate via the Trust’s website, reaffirming his hope to bring joy, happiness, and relief to families in need.

The event was graced by the presence of The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister, The Honourable Kerrie Symmonds, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade,(MP for St James Central) and The Honourable Kirk Humphrey, M.P., Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs. The anniversary celebrations also featured the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust Golf Tournament, held on Friday, January 20th, with the winning team comprising of Bobbie Freeman, Andy Freeman, Katie Jordan and Nick Jordan.

A Legacy of Impact: 20 Years of SLCT in Action

A special video presentation highlighted just a few of SLCT’s remarkable achievements over the twenty years, showcasing some of the initiatives including:

• BDS $5.5 million in individual healthcare support for Barbadian youth. The video highlighted the number of lives saved with the funding of complex overseas operations that could not be completed here in Barbados e.g: Rehana Alleyne, who, after receiving life-changing liver surgery in 2007, is now a third-year medical student aspiring to become a paediatric physician.
• The Trust’s formation of the Tri partnership with the World Pediatric Project and the QEH hospital in 2015, which has resulted the completion of over 200 orthopaedic surgeries, addressing the pediatric surgical back log and long waiting periods. The expansion of this program to include Urinary, cochlear implants and hearing, cardiac and Keratoconus (visual)
• This partnership providing the first ever cochlear implant in the Caribbean to beneficiary J’Dae Prescott, who now with the gift of hearing has become a competition ballroom dancer.
• The formation of the Sandy Lane Charitable Trust Hearing aid bank and the provision and maintenance of 68 hearing devices,
• SLCT has also significantly contributed to mental health initiatives. In 2018, the Thrive Family Center was established to support children and teens with mental health challenges, located within the Psychiatric Hospital grounds.
• Since its inception in February 2007, the Sunshine Early Stimulation Center - founded and entirely funded by SLCT, has been providing specialized care for children under the age of 11, living with developmental disorders and disabilities. Over BDS $24 million has been spent to sustain and maintain this school
• Funding of educational initiatives for the normal children of Barbados was also highlighted as vital work. Whether small projects like playground equipment or computers, or large projects with the entire funding of the primary school counselling program, this continued support is essential for the future of these children.
• Additionally, SLCT has funded BDS $75,000 annually for wheelchair maintenance services, partnering with expert wheelchair engineer Enrique ‘Kike” Toro, who travels to Barbados each year to provide support.
• The Trust continues to sponsor organizations such as The Eden Lodge Charitable Trust, Sports For Life, and Fishers For Men, further expanding its impact the lives of many Barbadian children and their families.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, SLCT dedicated BDS $9.5 million to poverty alleviation, providing grocery vouchers to struggling families.

A Night of Emotion and Celebration

The evening reached its emotional climax as 220 children and parents, all beneficiaries of SLCT’s work, took the stage wearing white charity shirts and holding candles. Their moving rendition of “We Are The World” lead by choir director Ryan Boyce, brought the audience to their feet, many shedding tears as they joined in the heartfelt chorus.

In a surprise moment, the Sandy Lane Hotel pastry team rolled out a magnificent three-tiered pink and white birthday cake, adorned with sparkling candles, pink roses, and pearl details, to celebrate this milestone 20 year anniversary, as the crowd joyfully sang “Happy Birthday.”

The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister, commended the Trust for its unwavering dedication. In her remarks, Prime Minister Mottley lauded Derrick Smith for his consistent efforts, stating:

“The missing ingredient in the region is consistency of effort, but Derrick Smith has been a constant.”

She also recognised Mrs Phillipa Challis, Trustee for her “Honorary Order of the Republic” which was awarded by the government of Barbados in November of last year.

The evening concluded with a silent auction, generously supported by numerous local artists, jewelers, private charter companies, boutiques, etc.

For more information or to make a donation, please visit www.sandylanecharitabletrust.org

January 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Sandy Lane Hotel Named Five-Star Hotel by Forbes Travel Guide for Eighth Consecutive Year, and Receives Additional Five Star Award for The Spa at Sandy Lane

Sandy Lane Hotel and The Spa at Sandy Lane Earn Prestigious Awards

(St. James, BARBADOS) — Forbes Travel Guide unveiled its annual 2023 Star Awards, naming Sandy Lane Hotel as a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hotel for the eighth year in a row. Recognised for being an iconic property with virtually flawless service and a warm sense of Barbadian hospitality, Sandy Lane remains the only hotel in Barbados to receive this honour. 

“Retaining the Five Star Award from Forbes Travel Guide for the eighth consecutive year is an immense honour for the entire team at Sandy Lane” commented James Matthews, General Manager. “Such recognition from the global authority on luxury reinforces our vision of being the premier luxury resort in the world.”

In addition, the luxury resort has the honour of being one of the only resorts in the entire Caribbean to have received a Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award not only for its hotel, but also for its spa. A 47,000 sq. ft. homage to wellness, The Spa at Sandy Lane boasts 14 lavishly appointed treatment suites, including three specialty suites, and a menu of treatments drawn from wellbeing traditions from across the world. The Spa at Sandy Lane is also home to a 2,500 sq. ft. fitness centre with the services of personal trainers, and a 7,500 sq. ft. cascading pool, as well as a large hydrotherapy pool and several dipping pools and private landscaped gardens on the terraces of its treatment suites.

 “The hotels, ocean cruises, restaurants and spas on our 2023 Star Rating list demonstrate an impressive commitment to creating memorable environments that nurture connection, joy and sense of place as we experience the world to its fullest,” shared Amanda Frasier, President of Ratings for Forbes Travel Guide.

“Travel is in an incredible position for continued growth, as people prioritize authentic, in-person experiences.” Frasier continued.

Forbes Travel Guide is the world-renowned authority on excellence in hospitality, and The Spa at Sandy Lane is the latest five-star addition to its illustrious annual Star Rating list.

For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star ratings, visit www.forbestravelguide.com/about/ratings.

About Sandy Lane: Sandy Lane is located on the western coast of the island of Barbados. This exclusive 113-room resort features stylish lodging in rooms that average 900 square feet and a five-bedroom villa, luxury Rolls Royce Phantom airport transfers, four exceptional restaurants, countless bars, a 47,000 square-foot award winning spa and three championship golf courses offering guests the best golf in the Caribbean. Two of the courses are Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole courses including the world-renowned Green Monkey golf course.

For more information and reservations, visit the resort’s website, www.sandylane.com or call Sandy Lane at (246) 444-2001.  Sandy Lane is a partner of Virtuoso, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

About Forbes Travel Guide: Forbes Travel Guide is the originator of the prestigious Five Star Rating system, and has provided the travel industry’s most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants and spas since 1958. Its anonymous professional inspectors evaluate based on hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travellers select the world’s best experiences. The only way to get a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended rating is by earning it through its independent inspection process. For more information about Forbes Travel Guide, please visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.

March 2023

PRESS RELEASE

Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup Makes a Grand Return under Lights

Race Run under Lights for the First Time

(St. James, BARBADOS) — The Historic Garrison Savannah was filled with a vibrant atmosphere as thousands gathered for the premier horse racing event in the Eastern Caribbean and indeed one of the longest running sporting events on the island – the prestigious Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.

The event took place on March 4^th 2023 and was the first Gold Cup race day held since 2020 due to the global pandemic. Returning bigger and better than ever, more than 15,000 spectators thoroughly enjoyed the proceedings on the track, almost double the number of attendees in previous years.

Another first for the event was that the title race was run at night under floodlights – thanks to a worthy investment by the Barbados Turf Club. An aptly named racehorse “It’s a Gamble” stunned the crowd to take the coveted golden trophy in the feature race of a full race card, with jockey Jalon Samuels winning his 6^th Gold Cup race of his career.

With 25 years as the proud title sponsor of the Gold Cup, Sandy Lane treated the audience to a full programme of entertainment, including a sensational parade featuring the Barbados Police Service Band and dancers from the Pineland Creative Workshop, live musical entertainment from Masala, and as is now Gold Cup tradition, lively commentary throughout the day by Master of Ceremonies, Mac Fingall.

The excitement surrounding race day begins long before the title race is run. The enduring symbol of success is the Gold Cup itself. Minted in England, the stunning Gold Cup was flown on February 20^th via British Airways to a grand Arrival Ceremony in Barbados and prominently displayed for weeks in the capital Bridgetown before race day. This was followed by a Post-Position Draw event where horse-owners, jockeys and trainers drew their position for the title race at the Historic Garrison Savannah.

Race day itself entails a full card of races each named for a landmark at the Sandy Lane resort leading up to the feature race - The Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup - which is preceded by a spectacular opening parade. Guests of the resort are hosted in the exclusive Sandy Lane Box which is fully catered throughout the day with a sumptuous array of culinary delights. Complimentary transfers between the Historic Garrison Savannah and the resort are provided for resident guests of the hotel.

Following a successful day at the races, Sandy Lane remains a proud sponsor of this prestigious event, and the resort already has plans underway to make next year’s edition even more spectacular.

About Sandy Lane: Sandy Lane is located on the western coast of the island of Barbados. This exclusive 113-room resort features stylish lodging in rooms that average 900 square feet and a five-bedroom villa, luxury Rolls Royce Phantom airport transfers, five exceptional restaurants, seven bars, a 47,000 square-foot award winning spa and three championship golf courses offering guests the best golf in the Caribbean. Two of the courses are Tom Fazio-designed 18-hole courses including the world-renowned Green Monkey golf course.

For more information and reservations, visit the resort’s website, www.sandylane.com or call Sandy Lane at (246) 444-2001.  Sandy Lane is a partner of Virtuoso, American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts and a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.

January 2023

SANDY LANE CHARITABLE TRUST FORMALLY RECOGNIZED WITH HUMANITARIAN AWARD FOR $6 MILLION+ IN SUPERMARKET VOUCHERS

(Barbados, 10 February 2023) – The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT) was formally presented with the Humanitarian Award at its Annual Golf & Gala Event held at The Country Club at Sandy Lane on January 21, 2023. 

The Prime Minister, The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley was on hand to officially present the award to Trustees Phillipa Challis, John Lodge and Julian Sacher. During a heartfelt speech the Prime Minister commended the Grand Patron of the Trust Mr. Derrick Smith, as well as the other Trustees for their steadfast support to the people of Barbados throughout the pandemic. She said “I am here to say thank you on the behalf of a grateful nation for the continued work, for the continued spirit of giving, and the actual giving during the course of what came to be regarded as the most difficult moment this country has faced since we became a nation.”

The Trust originally received the momentous accolade in acknowledgement for over BDS $6 million dollars generously donated by the SLCT in supermarket vouchers in their ‘Feed a Family Programme’.  The Trust initially committed BDS $3 million dollars in 2020 to provide immediate relief to vulnerable families affected by the pandemic and continued its sizable contribution with an additional BDS $3 million dollars from its emergency relief funds for additional vouchers to assist with the increasing number of families requiring assistance during the prolonged crisis.

The Prime Minister also spoke of the unwavering dedication the Trust has shown to children in need since its inception, characterizing the organization as one which “for the last 18 years has meant the difference between life and death, and has meant the difference in the quality of life for so many thousands of Barbadian children.”

In addition to the presentation of the Humanitarian Award, the fundraising gala, held principally to raise funds to support the SLCT’s primary vision – “helping the underprivileged children of Barbados”, succeeded in raising significant donations from its donors through its live auction and silent auction on the night.

All proceeds raised at the fundraising gala will go toward its ongoing programmes and causes, including The Sunshine Early Stimulation Centre and the John Payne School for Exceptional Children, The World Pediatric Project Orthopedic Missions and Cardiac Missions, its Healthy Hearing Mission, and several of its community outreach programmes.

The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust was established in 2006 and exists to support disadvantaged children in need. This includes the provision of facilities, training, health care and general welfare support for both children and their families. The Trust operates with no expenses or salaries, thereby ensuring that every dollar donated goes towards providing for children in need. The trust would like to thank the donors whose contributions make a world of difference, and the owners of Sandy Lane Hotel for their incredible generosity in supporting its mission, programmes and causes to further the development of underprivileged children in Barbados.