King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will be able to purchase and install a new state of the art X-ray machine ? thanks to a $600,000 donation by Bacardi Limited yesterday.

The donation was made as part of the company's 40th anniversary celebration. The announcement was made by the CEO and president of Bacardi Limited, Andreas Gembler at Bacardi's annual open house festivities yesterday.

Mr. Gembler presented a letter of commitment to the chief executive officer of the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Joan Dillas-Wright and the Minister of Health and Family Services, Patrice Minors.

The donation will be awarded in phases over a five-year period and will also allow for the specialised training of hospital staff to use the new equipment.

Mr. Gembler said Bacardi had made a strong commitment to identify with and give back to its adopted island home since establishing its global base in Bermuda 40 years ago.

"On behalf of Bacardi Limited and our 70 Bermuda-based employees, it gives me great pleasure to present this gift to KEMH to help it ring in 2006 as a demonstration of our contribution to the long-term future of Bermuda," he said.

The delivery and installation of the new x-ray equipment is expected during the first quarter of 2006 and the donation will allow the hospital to replace an important piece of equipment in one of its busiest departments.

Mrs. Dillas-Wright said the donation from Bacardi will help them improve patient satisfaction by reducing waiting times in the x-ray department. "This department is a busy hub in our hospital, and the gift will truly make a difference to our patients and staff," she said thanking Bacardi for its contribution to patient care.

Meanwhile, Minister Minors commended the company and applauded them for their commitment to the people of Bermuda through its charitable donations over the years.

"This significant donation by Bacardi Limited is evidence of its commitment to the advancement of the standard of medical services afforded to the people of Bermuda," she said.

In 1965, Bacardi moved its global headquarters from the Bahamas to Bermuda to control its growing overseas operations.

As part of its on-going commitment to Bermuda, Bacardi regularly supports and contributes to the local arts, sports, heritage and culture. Some of these events include rugby, fishing and sailing tournaments, the Bermuda Festival, the Bermuda Ballet Association, the Bermuda Philharmonic Society, the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, Maritime Museum, The King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the St. George's Foundation, to name a few.