Walsall care home pulls together for manager’s Jamaica charity drive
Big-hearted colleagues at a care home in Walsall are supporting their home manager’s charity efforts for loved ones in Jamaica, whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Melissa.
Odette Nicholson, the acting Home Manager of Parklands Court in Bloxwich, has been collecting clothes and supplies to send to the island, where her grandchildren Adario, Jade, Najon and Lashawn live.
Colleagues at the Advinia Healthcare home have donated goods and contributed to the Red Cross appeal to get vital help to the devastated area.
According to Odette, who plans to visit her family in Manchester and Kingston as soon as possible, the situation in her home country continues to worsen.
Odette said: “I’m doing what I can from here, but the truth is that this is a nightmare that doesn’t feel real.
“My family were fortunate as their home wasn’t destroyed, but there’s now water coming up in the house, which is destroying their belongings.
“There’s been an outbreak of Cholera due to the water contamination, and I know there will be more infections in the coming months for that reason.
“I’m desperate to help, but it’s hard when I’m so far away, so I appreciate the support from my colleagues.”
Hurricane Melissa hit Jamaica in late October, decimating large areas of the island. Odette's family cancelled a planned holiday in the United States so her daughter Nisha could travel to Jamaica to be with her children.
Odette said: “This could happen to anybody, and we must step in to help the people of Jamaica who need it the most.
“I can’t believe this has happened, and the pictures my grandchildren are sending me are heartbreaking.
“We cancelled the American trip so I can get over to Jamaica as soon as possible, even if it’s just for a short time, to do what I can to help.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Advina Healthcare and Parklands Court who has donated so far and I encourage people to give to the Red Cross if they can.”
