By Roy Sanford, Staff Reporter
Mr. Tony Wade hands over the cheque to CUMI's administrator, Nurse Joy Crooks recently. - Contributed
WESTERN BUREAU:
SOME YEARS ago British citizen Dudley Dryden read about the forceful removal of homeless people from the streets of Montego Bay in 1999 and was touched by the incident.
Mr. Dryden, a successful black entrepreneur, died on February 18, 2002 but on his deathbed he suggested to his family that the offering collected from his funeral and memorial services be donated to a charity, such as the Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill (CUMI) in Montego Bay.
Mr. Dryden's deathbed wish was carried out last week, when one thousand British pounds (about $98,176) was presented to CUMI on his behalf. Tony Wade, who wrote a book about Dryden's successful climb up the entrepreneurial ladder, made the presentation.
The presentation of the money to CUMI came sharp on the heels of pledges made by the new Mayor of Montego Bay, Noel Donaldson, during his swearing-in on Thursday to assist the cash-strapped organisation.
STRIVE TO ENSURE
"We must at all times strive to ensure that nothing as unfortunate, shameful and disgraceful as the street people scandal occur under watch," Mr. Donaldson said. "I therefore pledge to work with civil society and here, in particular, I single out CUMI to ensure that the best possible facilities and care are provided for those who are less fortunate than we are."
In a letter addressed to the Administrator of CUMI, Dryden's family said they hope that the gesture would increase the awareness of CUMI and hopefully inspire others to give similar financial support.
Nurse Joy Crooks said the pledge of assistance from the St James Parish Council is good news. "It is wonderful news," she told The Gleaner on Friday. "I am very happy to hear that."
CUMI is the only organisation in Montego Bay looking after the welfare of street people and the homeless. However, it has recently been plagued by financial problems. In April, Nurse Crooks said that the night shelter CUMI runs was no longer feasible for her organisation to operate based on financial and other constraints.
