Squash players raise funds for Irma victims

Members of the Trinidad and Tobago Squash Association (TTSA) and the public turned up in their numbers to play squash for the victims of Hurricane Irma at a tournament held at the Racquet Centre of the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, yesterday.

People also gave cash donations, bought squash apparel and gave food items to victims of Irma which caused havoc in the Caribbean and the US earlier this month. Antigua and Barbuda, St Maarten, British Virgin Islands, US Virgin Islands and Florida were some of the places that were seriously affected by Hurricane Irma.

President of the TTSA, Diane Julien, told Newsday it was an opportunity to give to a worthy cause.

“This is an opportunity for squash to give back, (I thought) let’s get on board so then I sent it around to (Project Coordinator) Ru (Celestine) and everybody else,” she said.

The tournament had to be organised in quick time, but Julien said Trinidadians supported the cause. “It was not that hard (to organise) because when you ask people and you tell them the cause (they jump on board).

It is for Barbuda. Barbuda is flattened, they have nothing at all...they all have been moved to shelters in Antigua. It is so heart-warming to see Trinidadian spirit, this is what we know Trinis to be.”

Julien said those who did not get time to donate yesterday can donate to the Living Waters Community.

“They can go directly to Living Waters and make their contributions there anytime. I think what they are trying to do is get as many things as possible. They have arranged to get boats to take it up (the islands), so that is why we were just rushing to see how much we can give them.”

The tournament closed with a cheque presentation to the Living Waters Community.