Capleton Sick ..Rushed to Doctor

KINGSTON (Star): An emergency visit to the doctor on Tuesday afternoon prevented international recording artiste Capleton from making a planned appearance at the St Mary Infirmary, which received $100,000 from the proceeds of the annual 'St Mary Mi Come From' hosted by the 'Fireman' each August in the parish of his birth. Proceeds from the very popular event usually go towards a charitable cause in St Mary. The artiste born Clifton Bailey was en route to the institution when he developed abdominal pains and was rushed to a private doctor. Before presenting the cheque, manager Claudette Kemp gave the assurance that Capleton was okay and called the deejay, who addressed the presentation ceremony via speaker phone. Reading from his medical records, it seemed, the entertainer explained that X-rays had shown that there were no perforations or obstructions of the abdomen. He said the medical staff was convinced that there was no immediate cause for concern but would be monitoring his condition. Meanwhile, Kemp explained that while Capleton remains the driving force behind the show, which this year had some 85 entertainers performing, its continued success was due to the collective efforts of the 'St Mary Mi Come From' family and the entertainment fraternity. The money will be going towards setting up a solar-powered energy system for the infirmary. Meanwhile, acting matron Avie-Ann Laing had so much more to be thankful for as distributors of Liquid Nitro herbal energy drink in partnership with the Shell service station in Oracabessa, St Mary, used the opportunity to make a donation too. They presented crutches and walkers, a grateful Laing explained, which would go a far way in helping the wards to get around and in effect make the staff's job much easier. The two companies had earlier presented toys to children at the nearby Port Maria Hospital, as well as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and other well-needed equipment. According to Shell's Marjorie Ramlal, it was a new initiative to "give back to the community" which will definitely be bigger next year. Meanwhile, for Hugh Tingle and brother Horace who played Santa Claus for the day, it was a welcome opportunity to bring Christmas cheer to the children, even though Liquid Nitro is an adult product. Admitting that it was done on short notice, he said the company would continue to bring joy to children across the country, going to the St Ann's Bay Hospital in St Ann on Tuesday and the Bustamante Hospital for Children before the weekend. "This year is just a small year. Hopefully, we'll do it bigger and better next year," he told THE STAR. Adding, "Hopefully, we'll be involved with it for a long time to make sure the kids are all right."