"Philanthropy In Our Nature"
Many hotel guests and Barbadians alike may well have not heard about 'The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust' before. A foundation established by Hon. Derrick Smith CHB, one of the Owners of the hotel, with the overall mission to improve the lives of disadvantaged children in Barbados. The Trust mainly focuses its efforts on far-reaching programmes, working closely with community partners to make a difference in as many children’s lives as possible, by raising funds for related causes that meet their strict criteria.
'We understand that children cannot help themselves, which is why we are there to lend a helping hand.'
This understanding is at the heart of the Trust - and is evident through their many philanthropic projects over the years.
Meet The Trustees
The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust (SLCT) was established in 2005. The Grand Patron Mr. Derrick Smith is supported by three other trustees (as seen in the photo): Mr. Julian Sacher, Mrs. Phillipa Challis, and Mr. John Lodge. Since its inception, the SLCT has donated over BDS$75M to fund multiple causes, from educational and medical programs, to the construction of new schools and community-based initiatives.
Golf & Gala Dinner Fundraiser
All of the SLCT initiatives have the same mission in mind: to touch and improve upon the lives of underprivileged children in Barbados.
From the trustees, the fellow Owners of the Hotel and their generous donors, they all share a ubiquitous spirit of care and inspiration. The Trust hosts an annual fundraising event every year at The Sandy Lane Country Club, during which millions of dollars in donations are made towards the charitable foundation.
Committed to Leaving No Child Behind
Some of the SLCT's causes include working in close collaboration with: The Sunshine Early Stimulation Centre (entire build and annual operational expenses for this school for special needs children), The World Pediatric Project Orthopedic Missions and Cardiac Missions, its Healthy Hearing Mission, and several of its community outreach programs - as well as the construction of a day care and respite centre for the Thelma Vaughn Memorial Home and The Thrive Family Centre. The Trust operates with no expenses or salaries, thereby ensuring that every single dollar donated goes towards providing for children most in need.
Humanitarian Award
In January 2023, the SLCT was presented with the ‘Humanitarian Award’ by Barbados’s Prime Minister, The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley. The PM also spoke of the unwavering dedication the Trust has shown to children in need on the island, characterising the organisation 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'.
The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust
To learn more or to become a donor to The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, you can visit their dedicated page here: