The Heart Foundation of Jamaica is stepping up their Fund Raising efforts in order to increase its ability to fight heart related diseases - the number one cause of death in Jamaica.

Executive director of the Foundation, Deborah Chen announced that the Foundation is this year aiming at raising Ten Million Dollars from the Annual Wine and Food Festival – Simply Red, which will be held on September 28, on the Lawns of Jamaica House.

Speaking at the Launch of Simply Red on Thursday, the executive director said that the Festival has blossomed into a signature event and the move to the Lawns of Jamaica House is most fitting, not just because the Festival has outgrown the previous venue, but also because it is a celebration of our cuisine as a part of the Jamaica 50 celebrations. “Jamaicans are becoming more aware of the work of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica and have been increasing their support towards our fund-raising efforts and so we believe our target is realistic.

The 23rd staging of the “Wine and Food Festival” – which is one of the main fund raising events for the 41 year old organization, is endorsed as “Proudly celebrating Jamaica 50 ”  and is being held under the theme “Out of many…one heart”.

Simply Red  will feature three celebrity international chefs, fifty display booths and  will provide an amazing guest experience for patrons to enjoy tastings of a delectable array of menu offerings prepared by ethnic chefs; an assortment of culinary offerings from companies across Jamaica; show cooking presented on two main stages and a fine assortment of wines while enjoying a fantastic entertainment package.  The menu will include authentic South African, European, Indian, Chinese and Jamaican traditional dishes.

Vice-Chairman of the Foundation, Winston Barrett expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the many sponsors of the event whose response to this year’s Festival has been unprecedented.

The Title Sponsor of the event is Caribbean Broilers who has provided $1.5M in cash and products. Other major sponsors include J Wray and Nephew, Heart/NTA, RedBk, ScotiaLife, Supreme Ventures, RJR Communications Group and the Jamaica Observer.

The HFJ  Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) is a registered non-profit organization founded in 1971 by the Lions Club of Kingston, and has done superb work in its efforts to achieve their major objective of reducing the incidence of death by heart disease. Over the decades, supported entirely by voluntary contributions, subsidized user fees and fund raising efforts, the organization has provided stellar support in areas of prevention through education; early detection through screening programmes and rehabilitation through education about healthy lifestyles.