Athletes donate to Walker's Place of Safety

The spirits of the Walker's Place of Safety in Kingston received a boost last Sunday in the form of a box of toys and school supplies donated by some of the island's athletes.

The children between the ages of three and 14 were gifted with footballs and dolls as well as exercise books, crayons and schoolbags.

The initiative was undertaken by former track and field athlete Trishanna McGowan, who executed a similar project a few years ago.

"When I came the first time back in 2010, I saw that they were a great home, somewhere I could easily contribute to, and to be doing in back again in 2015 is tremendous," she said.

"In 2010, there were two boxes. This year, it's a single box, but there are a lot of important gifts in there, books, crayons, everything you can think of that will bring a lot of joy to the hearts of the children."

McGowan was accompanied by 2015 Pan Am Games 100-metre champion Sherone Simpson, Carrie Russell and Aneisha McLaughlin-Whilby who interacted with the children.

There were others whoever, who contributed and those included Kimberly Williams, Kimari Roach, Julian Forte, Luton Shelton and Peter Matthews, among others.

Manager at the home, Grace Allen, expressed gratitude.

"I am very much grateful and the children are thankful," she said, explaining that many of the gifts were timely.

"They will go a long way because come January, it's back to school, and most of the items are for back to school."

McGowan said going forward she plans to do more. "I am looking forward to continue doing it. Sherone is happy to be on board with me and wants us to do it bigger and better in the years to come, so I think I might want to adopt the Walker's Place of Safety."