Concert to raise money for hurricane-hit Jamaica

A fundraising concert is being held to support a charity helping those affected by Hurricane Melissa.

Kat Carr, the lead singer of Latin and Caribbean band Kizamba, said the concert on Wednesday in Penzance, Cornwall, would support Truro-based charity Shelterbox.

Ms Carr said she was 11 when she witnessed Hurricane Gilbert, which hit the Caribbean in September 1988, and she and her family were in Jamaica when Hurricane Melissa struck in October.

She said: "Jamaicans are made of the very strongest stuff, but rebuilding after a storm like this takes time, money, and help from organisations like ShelterBox who are on the ground delivering vital aid."

Shelterbox said it worked with partners such as Food for the Poor and Rotary in Jamaica to provide shelter kits, thermal blankets, mosquito nets and solar lights.

Dave Raybould, head of emergency responses at ShelterBox, said: "These supplies were shipped from our warehouse in Barbados where we pre-positioned supplies before the hurricane season, so we were ready to go.

"We have more aid on the way - we're sending tarpaulins, rope, and essential aid items from our warehouse in Panama for the next phase of the response."

Ms Carr got in touch with ShelterBox to ask them to open the upcoming Kizamba concert with a presentation on their work in Jamaica.

She said: "The band and I really wanted to do something to raise awareness and contribute - given our connection to Jamaica and the music we play.

"We decided our final gig of 2025 would be the perfect opportunity to do a community fundraiser."

The concert is on at The Acorn in Penzance on Wednesday at 20:00 GMT.

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