The Arijah Foundation (which caters for children with special needs), and Kerry-Ann Julius (a Campus B student, unable to go to school as a result of walking difficulties) are the beneficiaries of a shared donation amounting to a total of over EC$20, 600 from the Royal Anguilla Police Force. The two cases were adopted this year by the Police as part of activities commemorating the 38th Anniversary of the Force.

Renuka Harrigan and child, Mr. Proctor, Kerry-Anne and mother

The money was equally shared between the Foundation and Kerry-Ann in the sum of EC$10,381.43 each. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rudolph Proctor, said the funds were partly raised from a “walk-a-cise”, one of the anniversary activities of the Force, during which members of the public contributed over $12,000 and from the Police Sports Club which contributed $8,000.

Mr. Proctor said it was a pleasure for him to make the presentations on behalf of Commissioner Keithly Benjamin and other ranks of the Force. He thanked members of the public and the Police Sports Club for their contributions to the two worthy causes.

“On behalf of the Arijah Foundation, I would like to thank you, Deputy Commissioner, for your efforts towards this community project,” Ranuka Harrigan, founder of the organisation, stated. “You will see the difference in these children, and it is going to be a huge impact, and one day they will be able to walk and talk to you.”

She reported that little Arijan, one of the five children being cared for, was now making some steps which she credited in part to the contributions which the Foundation had received so far for a number of donors. She noted that the Anguilla Government had provided some land for the Foundation to construct a caring and learning facility, but there was a need for the necessary financing for the building. She was pleased that Lawyer Joyce Kentish had made available a room at her law building to the Foundation where a special education teacher would be employed. She added that the Government had undertaken to pay the salary of an assistant teacher later on.

In thanking the Anguilla Police for their assistance, Linda Julius, Kerry-Anne’s mother, said her daughter, who is suffering from lupus, was unable to attend Campus B, where she was admitted from the Orealia Kelly Primary School, as it was very difficult for her to walk. She said Kerry-Ann was currently receiving lessons via the internet from England where she spent some time undergoing treatment.

The money donated by the Police will assist Kerry-Ann to receive further treatment at Northampton General Hospital in England where she was a patient previously.

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