Call for more projects that benefit children

by Morissa Lindsay

The recent back-to-school programme organised by Member of Parliament for Christ Church South Ralph Thorne and chairman of the Red Foundation Stedson Red Plastic Bag Wiltshire was a huge success and those who participated are calling for it to be an annual event.

The day of activities recently held at the Dover playing field raised school supplies for students in the parish of Christ Church.

The event exceeded all expectation and the entertainers, sportsmen and supporters alike were very impressed with the turnout.

The crowd was kept entertained by David Leslie and Elvis Elliott who donated the sound system and DJ services.

Well known activist and social media influencer David D2 Davis was among the influential figures in the fundraiser.

He explained that these types of outreach programmes were nothing new to him.

In fact,  Davis founded the Water Warriors in 2015 where they distributed water to the residents of St. Joseph for an entire year.

“My heart is not in Barbados, my heart is Barbados. So anything that is being done to benefit youth, the elderly, less fortunate, I am always ready and willing to participate.

“When I received the call it was a no-brainer, I was on board,” he said.

Davis who featured in the celebrity road tennis competition said he was extremely pleased to see the response from Barbadians towards the initiative.

Davis called for it to become an annual event.

“I think it was an event for an extremely good cause and especially in these times with the impact of COVID would have caused a lot of people to be on the backfoot. So, it was
good to see citizens coming out to support each other the way they did on Sunday.

“I would love to see it being expanded into more communities. It is a template that having done the first one, it is easy to replicate and I know that there are a lot of other Barbadians out there who are willing to step forward and donate. So, it could go across the length and breath of Barbados.”

Veteran calypsonian Terencia TC Coward was also one of the major driving forces behind the initiative. She too shared the same sentiments as Davis for this to be an annual event.

“I was pleased to see the numbers, I was also pleased to see the levels of donations that took place. I am actually looking forward to having this being an annual event. I have asked the persons who started the initiative which would be Stedson and QC Ralph Thorne if they would make sure this become an annual event.

“I think it is important for us to come together at this time as a nation and help those who are little less fortunate or are having struggles due to COVID-19 and other reasons.

“We have to come together at this time and stay focused to build this nation back and we have to do so by ensuring our children are empowered,” Coward said.

She added: “I do not believe it has to be an initiative by the members of parliament. It can be an initiative by the community-based groups.”   

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb