A recent benefit walk in the West End andLongBayneighbourhood has netted over four thousandEast Caribbean dollars for Saleem Brooks, a resident there, who is recovering from a gunshot wound ton his shoulder.
The participants in the walk included residents, among them being village school children, personnel from Viceroy (where the 22 year-old Saleem is employed) and Cap Juluca. The money is to assist the youngster (and his family) to meet some of the cost of his treatment in Puerto Rico. He was injured in a shooting incident at South Hill on December 3, last year. His injury was further complicated by his sickle cell condition.
Cardigan Connor, a therapist at Cap Juluca, and an Anguilla United Front candidate for the next election, was among a number of persons who organised the benefit walk. Mr. Connor presented cheques and cash to Saleem on Monday afternoon on the grounds of theAlwynAllisonPrimary School:
“Today is the presentation of EC$4,300 to Saleem and to his mother, Yvonne, to help with the expenses incurred during Saleen’s treatment inPuerto Ricowhere he was for almost two months. There were a lot of contributions from the sickle cell awareness walk we had. The injury to him obviously brought out the importance of awareness of sickle cell. I was very pleased to be part of a committee put together to raise funds.
“This will just scratch the surface of the bills because the cost is a lot more. The committee, and I, would imagine the whole community inAnguilla, … would like to assist with this. A number of people have contributed to this cause, and I want to thank them so much, including the Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School (AAPS) which donated US$300, and some of my friends have also sent some cheques as well, and I hope the assistance will continue.”
Mr. Connor noted that World Sickle Cell Day would be observed on Saturday, June 16, and he hoped that it would be possible to organise a similar awareness walk or other events inAnguilla.
Saleemwas grateful to his family, friends and other persons who readily supported him, and said that his injured shoulder was steadily improving. His mother, Yvonne, stated that she was also very happy and grateful for all the help they had so far received, and was relieved that her son was doing well.
Deputy Principal of the AAPS Tricia Richardson, speaking on behalf of the Principal, staff and students, said they were delighted to have been part of the walkathon to raise funds for Saleem in support of his health. She was grateful to the organising committee for involving the children in the event, and wished Saleem continued improvement.
