BritCham Guyana and Maxi Priest raise £21,035 for Jamaica hurricane relief at London charity auction

The British Chamber of Commerce Guyana (BritCham Guyana), in partnership with international reggae star Maxi Priest, successfully raised £21,035 to support hurricane relief efforts in Jamaica during a charity auction held at Chelsea Football Club, Stamford Bridge, on November 6, 2025.

The auction took place as part of BritCham’s high-level Business Forum & Networking Event, which brought together government ministers, Sir Trevor Phillips OBE, and representatives from major international companies, including ExxonMobil. The event underscored the growing partnership between the United Kingdom, Guyana, and the wider Caribbean.

The live auction was co-hosted by BritCham Chairman Faizal Khan and Maxi Priest and featured an array of exclusive items, including autographed memorabilia, art, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Maxi Priest, who personally championed the initiative, expressed deep gratitude to supporters from across the Caribbean and the UK.
“Jamaica has shared its ‘one love’ message with the world for decades, and it’s truly heartwarming to see that love and unity return in our time of need,” Priest said. “Unity is a healing power, and I’m so happy to see it at work. I want to thank everyone who made the BritCham Guyana and Maxi Priest Auction for Jamaica Hurricane Relief possible — those who donated, those who bid, and everyone who kept the vibe alive after an all-day business forum.”

He extended special thanks to Guyana’s President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who personally donated a painting for the auction, ensuring it arrived in London in time for the event. Priest also commended the contributions of professional footballers, cricketers, artists, corporate sponsors, and the Chelsea and BritCham teams.

The night featured vibrant performances by reggae greats Luciano and Aswad, with a special donation from Ali Campbell of UB40 adding to the event’s success.

BritCham Chairman Faizal Khan hailed the fundraiser as a shining example of Caribbean unity and cross-border collaboration.

“This initiative embodies the spirit of regional unity and the power of partnerships,” Khan said. “Guyana stands at the heart of the Caribbean’s growth, and BritCham is committed not only to fostering business but also to being a force for good across the region. The generosity and spirit shown by both the Guyanese and UK communities demonstrate how business, culture, and community can come together to uplift our region.”

Among the top auctioned items were signed guitars from Ali Campbell and Luciano; a luxury 8-day Guyana Rainforest Adventure sponsored by the Guyana Tourism Authority and partners; sports memorabilia from the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Fulham FC, and Aston Villa; and President Ali’s donated painting.

All proceeds will go directly to organisations coordinating relief and rebuilding efforts in Jamaica following the recent hurricanes.

BritCham Guyana continues to encourage further donations to the initiative. Persons interested in contributing can contact the Chamber’s Secretariat at (+592) 708 9989 or (+592) 708 9993, or email admin@britchamgy.com.

The British Chamber of Commerce Guyana is an independent, non-profit business chamber committed to driving UK business growth in Guyana and strengthening trade, investment, and cultural ties between the two nations.

For more information, visit britchamgy.com.