The brutal murder of Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operator Victor Preacher Man Walton a year ago not only left his teenage son an orphan and his family members with an unforgettable loss but with hefty unpaid funeral expenses as well.
And on Thursday, in honour of his memory and to support his family, the Alliance Owners of Public Transport (AOPT) launched a national appeal to raise funds to cover the cost of his January 4 funeral and contribute to the education of his son.
“The family finds itself in a very precarious situation, so we are making a national appeal to the business sector, the PSV fraternity and to all and sundry, the general public, whatever you can give, support this fund,” urged Mark Haynes, AOPT’s Communications, Information and Marketing Officer.
AOPT Chairman Roy Raphael told Barbados TODAY, they were seeking to raise $15,000. Contributions can be made to CIBC First Caribbean International Bank, Account No. 1001215885.
Haynes is optimistic that people will respond positively to the drive.
“We can do this as Barbadians. We are known to be a giving people, we are known to be a loving people, we are known to be a people who respond to crisis, to respond to calamities,” he said. “Let us see this as something that can happen to [any] one of us . . . . Therefore, it is imperative that we all give.”
Walton, who worked the Oistins, Christ Church route, crashed into a tree at the junction of Maycocks and Husbands, St Lucy last December 1. When he was taken to the hospital for treatment, two bullets were found in his head.
Subsequent police investigations revealed that he was robbed and shot.
Walton died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on December 10 after being on life support for nine days.
“We have lost a great friend,” said Haynes, adding that the PSV body was making a humanitarian call because Walton “was an important person and a very responsible person in the sector”.
Walton’s sister, Juliette, who was at the launch of the appeal held at Infinity on the Beach Hotel, has taken on the responsibility of raising her nephew who lost his mother when he was just a few weeks old.
The AOPT officials are hoping to assist her by using any monies remaining after covering the funeral expenses to set up a trust fund to finance the teen’s education.
Expressing deep gratitude for the assistance being provided by AOPT and anyone prepared to support the appeal, she recalled that her brother was a gentle soul who just worked and enjoyed learning new skills.
“Victor was lovable, quiet and friendly. Victor loved education and studying. He had certificates in bodywork, mechanics, upholstery, and a few other things. He didn’t have many friends. In his spare time he would fix cars, fix minivans, he would read his Bible and watch TV,” she said.
The family’s plight has triggered fresh concerns for Raphael that the majority of the island’s 3,000 PSV workers are uninsured.
He said the association is set to announce an initiative shortly that will offer protection for workers and their families.
“Let me say that we have already started to look at an insurance fund for our PSV members. We are still in discussions with an insurance company. We are well aware that a lot of our PSV members are in a position where they can be attacked while they are on the job,” he said.
“We are going to be speaking to the members of the public very shortly about new insurance that we are looking at to assist our PSV operators, including taxis.” sandydeane@barbadostoday.bb
