... to enjoy the Jamaican sun at the new Round Hill hotel run by his cousin John Pringle, would also like to contribute to the not so lucky in his parish – especially as Willy and Ida had introduced John to the Monsons of Round Hill and helped to get the resort up and running.

John, a very persuasive character in his own right and bon vivant extraordinaire, was a personal friend to many of the early homeowners and guests at Round Hill and was able to easily persuade the visitors to make donations to the Custos’s Christmas.

At around that time, the De Lissers sold Tryall to a group of Americans who wanted to create a world class golfing and villa resort. In 1957, Custos De Lisser, seizing the opportunity of having such luminaries in his parish, enlisted the aid of his friends Lord and Lady Monson, as well as the other glamourous socialites to be found as Round Hill and Tryall shareholders, to formally create Hanover Charities.

Visitors to Jamaica such as Prince Rainier of Monaco gave and continue to give generously to the charity.

A guest of one of the founder members of Hanover Charities, Mrs. Harriet Little of Tryall, Prince Rainier was travelling behind a cane truck to Negril when a little boy attempted to jump on the truck. The lad missed his footing and fell backwards onto the car the Prince was in. The Prince took the child to Lucea Hospital and was appalled to find there was no x-ray machine. On his return home he donated a unit to the hospital through the charity.

Now an official charity organization – a wider outreach programme for the area began. The aim was, and the tradition continues, to improve the quality of life for the residents of Hanover – which has generally been regarded as the “Cinderella” of Jamaica.

Hanover Charities fills the role of Prince Charming and befittingly once a year the main fund raiser is the Sugar Cane Carnival or Ball held at Round Hill Hotel & Villas. Traditionally held in February when the cold climes chase the “r&f” to the warmer shores and the homeowners are in residence. The ball has become a date on the international social calendar.

For the past 50 years “the ball” has been attended by celebs and other beautiful people from around the world who have kicked up their heels and freely spent their money for this very good cause.

From the Sugar Cane Carnival or Ball and donations from past, present and potential visitors to Jamaica - this non-profit organization (largest in western Jamaica) now has grown to assist over sixty charities in the parish, reaching over 25,000 citizens either directly or indirectly.

Community health, education and welfare activities, such as “soup kitchens” all have benefited from the largesse of this generous group of people. However, aid is not given out lightly and requests for funding are carefully investigated and screened by the charity board – now under the eagle eye of Chairperson Katrin Schafelner Casserly.

The emphasis is credibility, feasibility and project justification and during the project full accountability of the allocated funds.