CC past students want help to buy school bus

A group of Clarendon College past students have embarked on a drive to purchase a school bus for the institution in the shortest possible time.

The school lost its bus in a fatal crash on May 4. Two persons, Keith Dunkley, who was the school's driver for years, and Renford Mowen, a taxi operator, died in the crash that took place along the Chapelton main road in the parish.

The newly formed Class of 83 group has set about replacing the 15-year-old bus that was written-off following the crash.

"It is very important to ensure the school bus is replaced," Donna Bent Smith, a member of the Class of 83 said.

"Students have field trips, sporting activities, educational outings to enrich student development. As a foundation group, it is also good for us to give back as that's where our foundation started," she added.

The past students have started a campaign on the popular crowdfunding platform, GoFundMe, to raise US$50,000 or just under J$7.5 million for the purchase of the bus. The Class of 83 has put the price of the bus targeted at US$86,000 (approximately J$12.9 million).

"We did not have anything of this magnitude in mind. It is a very ambitious project, but we are hoping to appeal to past students as well as others from Jamaica and the Diaspora to come on board," she said.

David Wilson, principal of the school, has asked for support for the venture.

"We are appreciative of all assistance in finding a suitable replacement for the bus, and especially thankful that the Class of 1983 has taken this as a project to assist our school in this regard," he said.

Persons may contribute to the fund by logging on to https://www.gofundme.com/f/zbaf8-school-bus-fund