Simone Richardson took a short walk down Brixton Road to donate clothes and money to a Jamaica hurricane appeal event at Jamm – and danced with many others to famous Mi-Soul DJs and more
“The response to Aid for Jamaica and Dancing for Jamaica has been phenomenal,” says Linden Cambridge, who, with his partner Rachel-Elizabeth Mitchell, organised the donation campaign and music events.
“When the events in Jamaica unfolded, our first thought was that the government was doing next to nothing to help. So we decided that if those in power wouldn’t act, we would. At the very least, we wanted to raise awareness and rally support.
“We reached out to Brixton Storeys and Brixton Jamm, and both generously donated their venues. From there, Aid for Jamaica and Dancing for Jamaica were born.
“So far, tickets and donations have reached around £1,600, and the community’s response to our call for clothing and essential items has been overwhelming.
“All donated items have been delivered to The Jamaican Homeless Charity Foundation in Deptford, where contributions are still being accepted.”
Linden, whose Brixton Art Club we featured in 2022, said that items still needed include clothes, shoes, trainers, personal hygiene products (including feminine hygiene), baby essentials, formula, non-perishable food, and nappies.
“This is more than music,” he said. “It’s about standing together as a global community to help our Jamaican family rebuild and recover. Every donation counts.”
Rachel-Elizabeth Mitchell said she was very proud to be a part of the fundraising efforts for Jamaica.
“Over the past couple of weeks she been collecting clothes from clients of her professional organiser company.
“Normally, these would go to charities here in the UK,” says Rachel-Elizabeth, “but I’ve been setting them aside especially for this event.
“It’s been incredibly meaningful to donate my time to such a worthy cause. I’m particularly concerned about global warming, and I’m very aware of how quickly major events—like the hurricane in Jamaica – become news one day and are forgotten the next.
“Being able to contribute, even in a small way, has felt important. It’s also been great fun helping. I’ve helped with the marketing, organised all the clothes on the day, and worked on the door during the event,” she said.7
“I was only too happy to contribute to Dancing For Jamaica after the devastation Melissa left,” said DJ, producer and presenter Keith Lawrence, a regular at Brixton venues and one of several Mi-Soul DJs involved in the event. “Big-ups to Linden and the team for putting it together, here’s to the next one.”
Other acts who contributed incuded Fabio & Grooverider, Jumpin Jack Frost, Jazzi Q, Gordon Mac, Roy The Roach, Vanessa Freeman, KCC, Simon Kurrage, Joe Winter, Mr Shiver, Afrochick, Anna B, Nick Standen, the Arch 535 Collective, and Larry Love from Alabama 3.
Spoken Word came from Melodi Marsh – daughter of DJ Roy the Roach – and Louis the Hippie.
To help further …
The Jamaica Homeless Charity Foundation (Online donations and information)
thejamaicahomelesscharityfoundation.co.uk
Contact for contributions: brixtonartclub@gmail.com
