Veteran broadcaster and humanitarian Bernice Mansell, whose distinctive voice became synonymous with the Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund’s annual Christmas appeal, died peacefully at her home yesterday. She was 96.
Known affectionately to generations of Guyanese as “Aunty Bernice”, Mansell devoted decades to raising assistance for needy children, first through the Radio’s Needy Children’s Fund (RNCF) and later through the Bernice Mansell Foundation.
The National Communications Network Inc (NCN), in a Facebook statement, described her voice as one of hope for Guyana’s vulnerable children and said her compassion, humility and unwavering service had left an enduring legacy.
NCN said it paid tribute to Mansell’s service during its Budding Broadcasters graduation earlier in the day. She is also recognised on the network’s Radio Wall of Fame.
The broadcaster noted that Mansell’s life and work were captured in words which she held dear: “If I can help somebody as I pass along… then my living shall not be in vain.”
“Few embodied those words more completely than Bernice Mansell,” NCN said, while extending condolences to her relatives, friends and all those touched by her work.
Broadcaster Merrano Isaacs, in a separate Facebook post, recalled that Mansell had taken over the RNCF’s annual Christmas appeal from the late Dame Olga Lopes Seale.
Isaacs said that even after leaving the fund, Mansell continued her charitable work through the foundation bearing her name.
He recalled interviewing her in 2017, when she spoke about her years leading the appeal and how she became known as “Guyana’s Best Beggar” because of her persistent efforts to secure assistance for those in need.
Isaacs said the lyrics of the song accompanying the Christmas appeal encapsulated Mansell’s charitable work and contribution to humanity:
“If I can help somebody as I pass along
If I can cheer somebody with a word or a song
If I can show somebody, he is travelling wrong
Then my living shall not be in vain.”
The Bernice Mansell Foundation was established in July 1999 and operates from 73 Public Road, Houston.
Its work has included providing material assistance to poor and needy persons, supporting the educational advancement of underprivileged children and maintaining educational training programmes for early school leavers.
Over the years, the foundation also honoured mothers and hosted activities for senior citizens.
“Rest in peace, Bernice Mansell,” Isaacs wrote.
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