Several organisations have verbally pledged to pay $10,000 for a seat on-board an aid plane to Haiti — and Premier Ewart Brown and his wife have made the first firm donation.

Dr. Brown announced the "novel idea" to let financial donors travel to the Haitian capital for a few hours on a hired American Airlines jet at a press conference on Friday.

A press release sent out that evening revealed that he and wife Wanda were donating the first $10,000 towards the $60,000 flight, which will drop off much-needed water, milk and medical supplies in Port-au-Prince.

Senator Marc Bean, who is coordinating the Island's official efforts to help earthquake-struck Haiti, said yesterday that further offers had come from the private sector, churches and individuals.

"So far, we have at least three organisations who have verbally pledged to at least match the donation that the Premier gave personally with his wife and we are expecting a few more," the Junior Transport Minister told The Royal Gazette.

"As of now, it's looking to be very positive. I'll be able to give a further update in the next few days."

We asked readers for their thoughts on the proposal on Saturday — and several e-mailed to say they found it in bad taste.

Larry Lindo suggested that the $800,000 for a review of the Island's two municipalities would be better spent on Haiti. "I am sure Bermudians would prefer that the funds be spent that way."

Dawn Evans wrote: "What a colossal waste of resources! $10,000 will buy ten shelter boxes which will provide ten tents, each of which will house ten people — shelter for 100 people."

Blogger and former PLP member Jonathan Starling wrote that it was "horribly wrong" on his Catch a Fire website and Opposition senator Jeanne Atherden described it yesterday as "some sort of well-meaning but embarrassing tourist venture".

She claimed: "The Government has not moved swiftly to extend aid to Haiti as Bermuda has done in the past for other disasters. This warrants some investigation on its own.

"There is merit in paying for a plane to carry supplies to the stricken island but the idea of sending 'donor-tourists' on it strikes us as superficial and disconnected from the reality of the catastrophe."

The Shadow Community and Cultural Affairs Minister said space on the plane should be used to carry more aid or to transport medical personnel or people desperate to reach relatives.

She added: "This is not a tourism promotion and the Premier should understand that humanitarian action and support — certainly in this instance — does not need to be coaxed from people with a 'prize flight' to the shattered island."

Sen. Bean rejected the criticism and said the intention of the flight was to provide immediate aid. "What better way to convey our love and kindheartedness to the people?" he said. "I don't think anyone is really eager to fly to Port-au-Prince for photo opportunities or PR.

"Give me a break! That's not the spirit that the Premier intended. Instead of criticising us, people should just be doing their part to help this country. We in this Country need to stop being armchair critics and spectators."

He said there was a logistical challenge in filling the seats on the plane with medical personnel or others from the Island.

"We can't just drop Bermudians off with good intentions," he said. "That will cause more confusion because of the lack of organisation on the ground and there is very much a health issue and a safety issue."

He said Government was committed to helping Haiti but was waiting to send aircraft until it was certain that it could be effective and would not add to the confusion there.

Sen. Bean was not sure if the organisations pledging money planned to have representatives fill the seats.

"I'm not sure who is going to go," said the PLP politician. "I might have to go on that plane myself. I'm not looking forward to it. I just want to make sure that the goods are offloaded and get into the hands of the right people."