REDDITCH residents are uniting to help their twin parish in Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa tore through the island, leaving homes destroyed and lives shattered.
St Elizabeth, twinned with Redditch Borough since 2006, has been hard hit, with local towns such as Black River and Brompton suffering extensive damage and loss after the category 5 storm – the worst of its kind – devastated the island with 185 mph winds.
Worst-hit areas include Fyffes Pen, Cambridge, Cotterwood, Speculation, Luana and Front Hill.
Businessman Damian Simpson, of D&D Roofing Supplies, originally from Black River, is leading a grassroots campaign in Redditch to collect and ship essential supplies to affected families.
With infrastructure destroyed and many residents left without shelter, Damian and colleagues are heading over to the area in person to donate their efforts to rebuilding and are taking aid barrels with them.
Essential items being collected for the barrels include rice, sugar, flour, tinned goods, pasta, toothpaste, batteries, and sanitary products.
The first shipments will be leaving Redditch next week and will arrive in three weeks.
Damian said: “A lot of us in Redditch know people who are affected by this. Every contribution helps big or small.
“Thank you to everyone who has donated or is thinking of donating.
“A lot more is needed and you’re very welcome, please just come talk to us.”
The campaign, just launched, has seen generous support from local businesses and organisations including Redditch Masonic Lodge, Isaac’s Food Bank, TJ Security Systems, Huws Gray Redditch, and Paul Hodgkins.
Donations can be dropped off until next Saturday, November 15, at D&D Roofing Supplies, 6A Millsborough House, Lodge Road, or Greenlands Business Centre, Studley Road, Redditch.
Redditch’s longstanding community ties to St Elizabeth, where a friendship link was first established in 1990, have seen Redditch Borough Council also join the appeal, with the authority providing additional collection points and promotional support.
Coun Monica Stringfellow, portfolio holder for community services and safeguarding responsibilities, added: “It is wonderful to see so many people coming together to support our Jamaican community and that this council is a part of that.”
Email [email protected] for more information.
