Love never fails to give – and love was in action on Thursday 26th March at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in The Valley. The hospital received a cheque of US $4,500 which was given as an expression of two loves: a love for friends and a love for a country.
The gift came from Dr. Yr and her husband Robert but it was not just a gift to the hospital. It was given to the hospital on behalf of their friends Linda and Divya Patel. The Patels, who are continual guests at Altamer Hotel in West End, is a couple that has a wide embrace. They embraced the people of Iceland and each year they invite their friends from Iceland to come to Anguilla. Now, not only have the Patels embraced Anguilla, but their friends from Iceland have also done so.
Last year, while Dr. Yr was here visiting with the Patels, she found herself in the unfortunate position of being a patient in the hospital as a result of a shellfish allergy. She was given good service and was particularly happy to be served by a female doctor – but, she also saw the need. Hence, a love for the hospital that found an expression this year.
The delightful dilemma Dr. Yr found herself in was: What do I give a couple that has been given all the usual gifts before? How do I express my love for my hosts, the Patels, on their anniversary? She thought that a donation to the hospital, on their behalf, would be the perfect gift.
That was certainly an inspiration for, according to Linda Patel (at the little ceremony they had the night before) she was in tears – and she was not the only one. A group of almost twenty of her friends from Iceland as well as the General Manager of Altamer Hotel, Mr Carl Irish, accompanied her to the gift giving ceremony at the hospital. Mr Irish remarked that it was an absolutely fantastic gesture but he was not surprised that they would want to do something in return for as he said, the service from the hospital and ambulance was really efficient.
The cheque was presented to the Chief Executive Officer of the Health Authority of Anguilla, Mr George Brown, in the presence of other personnel from the hospital. The donation was well received and, according to Mr Brown, it will be used to address some priority area of need. He hoped that other citizens, visitors and the region would realize that “we are on the move, and need all the help that we can for the upliftment of the Health Authority…. These donations can only help to make the move faster. There are a number of instruments and equipment that need to be procured, and staff members to be trained up, so that we can expand clinical services offered by the Health Authority.”
by Lavon Proctor
