‘It means a lot for me’
Leon Bailey Foundation makes plans to continue Bellevue work
Published:Tuesday | March 4, 2025 | 12:08 AMGregory Bryce/Staff Reporter
JAMAICAN INTERNATIONAL Leon Bailey is set to continue his charitable contributions to the Bellevue Hospital after the unveiling of a newly renovated family room at the hospital’s facilities yesterday.
The room was renovated through a collaboration with the Leon Bailey Foundation, which had donated $500,000 to the hospital last year.
Bailey, who could not attend the ceremony because of obligations with his club Aston Villa, spoke remotely through a phone call on the day.
He said the donation came from his desire to give back to Jamaica and to be the best ambassador for the country as possible.
“I just want to send my best wishes and I want to thank you all for being here today. It means a lot for me, my family, and everybody else,” Bailey said.
“I really love my country and I really love to be a part of this programme, so I’m really appreciative of these opportunities. I just want to say, I wish you all the best and, with my support, I try to do as best as I can to be an ambassador.”
In attendance was Ramone Baxter, a representative of the Leon Bailey Foundation, who explained the foundation is focused on playing their role in helping Jamaica through charitable efforts.
“We have a thing that we do within our circle that, each year, we sit down and go through places that need help,” he explained.
“We have our yearly treat that we do and we have anonymous sponsorships that we do as well.”
Baxter explained the relationship between the foundation and Bellevue Hospital was formed through his friendship with the hospital’s CEO, Suzette ‘Camille’ Buchanan.
LENDING A HELPING HAND
Having been made aware of the work needed to be done at the hospital, Bailey felt it was his duty, through his foundation, to lend a helping hand.
Last year, Bailey was present at Bellevue’s Labour Day clean-up and beautification activities where he had made the initial donation.
“I’m a news person, I’m always watching the news so we can know what’s going on in the country. I know Camille personally, so I reached out to her, I put it to Leon and he said it was a good idea,” Baxter said.
“It is not a one-off thing. It is going to be a continuous venture and we’re going to improve as we go along. As I said, yearly, we like to come together and sit down and think, ‘How can we assist our country? How can we give back to Jamaica?’.”
He continued, “The thing is, [Bailey] is not trying to be a role model just on the field, he is trying to be a role model off the field as well. We’re always trying to give back and give other person the opportunity that he got. Because he got an opportunity and he took it. Now he’s Leon Bailey, so he tries to give back as much as he can.”
Bailey is expected to visit the facility later this month where the renovated space will be named in his honour.