Friendly North Raises $327K
“Without our sponsors, this festival would not have been successful,” she reiterated.
Monday 21 October 2024 | 10:10
Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North committee members, Vodafone Fiji executives and guests the during the thanksgiving programme in Labasa on October 19, 2024. Photo: Sampras Anand
Last month's week-long Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North raised $327,000.
Festival committee president, Zaheen Ibrahim, said seven months of preparations paid off well for the organisers, volunteers, sponsors specially the festival committee.
Ms Ibrahim disclosed the record amount at a thanksgiving programme on Saturday in Labasa. The festival was held at Subrail Park in Labasa from August 31-September 7.
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Ms Ibrahim is the first female president of the festival committee.
She said the friendships the committee formed with many of its volunteers and helping hands ensured a successful festival.
“It is a time to appreciate the hard work, resilience and dedication of our committee members,” Ms Ibrahim said.
“Our committee overcame all challenges during the preparation phase, and we acknowledge their efforts tonight.”
Special plaques, certificates were presented to the committee members. She acknowledged the major sponsors, Vodafone Fiji, and all other corporate bodies who provided financial support in the operations of the festival.
“Without our sponsors, this festival would not have been successful,” she reiterated.
Ms Ibrahim hopes such sponsorship continues in future.
Chief guest, Vodafone’s head of recharge and operations, Nilesh Singh, affirmed they would continue the partnership. Mr Singh said community outreach ensured their presence with grassroot people and community.
Ms Ibrahim said they managed to lift the standard of performance by selecting quality contestants who displayed their skills over the one week period.
A special mention was made to the families of all the contestants in their role in motivating them to rise above their comfort zones and put out their finest performance.
Part of the completed projects from the festival charity chest includes the construction of the washroom facility at Subrail Park ground two.
A set of musical equipment was also given to Nabala Secondary School. Other projects will start soon.
Feedback: sampras.anand@fijisun.com.fj
