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Fourteen year old Trinidad and Tobago chess champion, Della-Marie Walcott, a St Joseph’s Covent (Port of Spain) student, is still comatose but is now resting at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex in Mt Hope.
(Courtesy Amiel Mohammed)
Walcott’s family has expressed its eternal gratitude, via press release, to the Office of the Prime Minister for its donation of $25,000 towards her medical expenses as well to other organisations, committees and individuals from all walks of life who stepped forward to offer financial assistance, resources and prayers.
Walcott’s medical fees, according to the release, remain “exorbitant” but are no longer increasing at the previous rate while she was stationed at the St Clair Medical Centre.
The family has deactivated the online gofundme donation account. However, the fund raising efforts continue.
Donations can be made to Republic Bank account #180801224831 in the name of “Friends of Della-Marie Walcott” while there will be a special MovieTowne fundraiser on 22 March 2016 with the screening of the movie “Capture the flag.”
Movie tickets cost $150 and can be purchased by contacting RAW Advertising at 397-0691.
Walcott’s family will receive approximately $100 from every ticket purchased. The family will also do door prizes, presentations and other activities along with the actual movie.
Hott Shoppe Curry Q tickets to raise money for Walcott are virtually sold out and will no longer be available at previously advertised outlets.
The following is the full press release from the family of Della-Marie Walcott:
(Courtesy Amiel Mohammed)
Della-Marie Walcott is now resting at the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope after being transferred from the St Clair Medical Centre recently. Her comatose condition though, remains the same.
The care and support that she received from the medical staff and administration of St Clair Medical Centre had been outstanding. However with her medical expenses drastically increasing at the St Clair facility, an opportunity was presented to have her safely moved to the Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex and it was graciously accepted.
The family of Della-Marie would also like to express our gratitude to the Office of the Prime Minister for its donation of $25,000 towards her medical expenses, which are still quite exorbitant, but thankfully no longer increasing at the same rate as it was previously.
We would like to announce that the Hott Shoppe Curry Q tickets are virtually sold out and will therefore no longer be available at previously advertised outlets. This is due in no small part to the outstanding support this initiative has garnered from the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
The online gofundme donation account has also been deactivated.
Donations can still be made at the Republic Bank Ltd bank account #180801224831 in the name, “Friends of Della-Marie Walcott” as well as tickets can be purchased for the MovieTowne movie fundraiser scheduled for 22 March 2016.
Tickets are priced at $150 for the screening of the movie “Capture the flag” and can be purchased by contacting RAW Advertising (397-0691).
Trinidad and Tobago has welcomed Della-Marie into their hearts and we are eternally grateful. Organisations, committees and individuals from all walks of life have stepped forward and offered their financial assistance, resources and prayers.
Della-Marie has been an inspiration and this situation has helped to show that our society has a massive capacity to care and display genuine empathy.
We thank you wholeheartedly and encourage everyone to not let their kindness stop with Della-Marie.
Reach out to those less fortunate, be an inspiration and support if you can.
In February 2023, immediately after receiving official word of their successful application to participate in the 16-22 July Gothia Cup Read more
The family of 14 year old Trinidad and Tobago chess olympiad and St Joseph’s Convent (Port of Spain) student, Della-Marie Read more
The following press release was sent to Wired868 by the friends and family of 14 year old Trinidad and Tobago Read more
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Can’t be really a donation if they are making full price on each attendee…it’s just another business transaction, there is no charity involved except from the persons who pay the $100 fee…so…if you’re thinking of donating to get something in return, I suggest picking something other than this MovieTowne drive…which is geared towards making 100% profit for MovieTowne…
Lol. I doubt MovieTown would be crazy enough to not follow through on its promises and destroy its reputation for a few dollars.
I meant TTFA
Hahaha – just an example. But honestly I’ll say yes. New administration, so I’m giving them some degree of my trust until they prove unworthy of it.
Carlos Lee – it seems that proof won’t be long in coming.
Don’t say that Kirwin Weston. I’m really hoping that we have good leadership at the top. They’ll make a few mistakes/missteps and we’ll need to keep reminding them of their promises.
Go brave. Respect
Yes.
Chances are more people contribute when they getting something in return. But if corporate entities want to contribute they should do so without gimmicks attached. This approach is not seeking the true interest of the child and her family during an obviously trying time.
I agree with you. I’m just saying I don’t see it as a mindset that is limited to corporate entities. I think it’s part of our collective national consciousness. Or maybe our subconscious.
But if individuals aren’t doing things without strings attached, how can we expect companies to when companies are run by people?
Yeah… But do we think that more people will contribute to this cause via the fundraisers or via direct deposits to the bank account?
To me it always seems as if Trinis are more likely to assist when they’re getting something in return. Maybe that’s just a misconception I have though.
I have the same misconception.
I wonder who concocted this ploy? So MT helping to facilitate a donation, but not contributing directly. Bet they expect a pat on the back too. This is a classic example of how you help out, without really helping..
Lasana, they gotta pay for the new complex in South too…so no discount for allyuh
I don’t have an issue with the fundraising event. I think it’s appropriate the way they’re handling it. Kind of a creative way for the movie going public to catch a show and donate to a good cause. I think it’s pretty creative and taps in to a specific segment of the population. I could see TTFA or other sporting organizations doing similar ventures – Attend a football match at $200 a head, with $100 going towards X.
You trust them so much ?
Hmm…seems like with all these issues, those wishing to contribute can just do so directly to the account set up?
How much is the family getting from the sale of each Hott Shoppe ticket? And what’s the non-fundraising Hott Shoppe price?
Good question.
Yes. Movietowne eh giving nothing
:-/
I called Amiel Mutilal for details and I’m sure he would have mentioned if there was any promise of a contribution from MovieTowne. So I’m guessing “no”.
Ok. Then yuh can’t really jumbie them I think.
How do you mean?
We’ll like them to contribute yes. I think they should. But if the don’t agree and not willing to scrifice their business, we can’t really do anything about it.
You can always do something. They did nothing underhand for sure. Native Spirit didn’t either by the way with Akeem Adams. The mistake there was the TTFA’s…
But you can always do something.
Did MovieTowne make a lumpsum contribution up front, or at least a promise to do so from the tickets sold ?
Firstly, hope she gets the money needed in time to resolve her medical issues.
I’m guessing here Kirwin that the fundraiser is now to pay off the St Clair Bill and I hope the Neurosurgeon is attached to the public health system, since she’s in ICU @ Mt Hope
Does the $150 ticket price include any snack? If no then he is also making from the canteen as some people will purchase snacks smh. And if that is the case then he should donate at least $10. I don’t think it would be impractical at all unless his organization is contributing separately
Kirk A Inniss, you pointed to the donation from the Office of the PM. But what about from MovieTowne?
Even if they show previews for the screener and promote it, that would still be the same as every other movie. I’m just curious as to how companies see these things.
Because when the family promotes the event and urges people to pay, are they inadvertently helping Chin get full business?
Shouldn’t the family at least get a commission? Even if MovieTowne donates nothing to the family, if they are actively encouraging people to take their business there, is that worthy of a commission at least?
Chin gets full business..he doe care
I can’t work out whether I’m being too hard on the business here or not. I certainly would not have not treated this like a normal business venture.
But then I’m not a millionaire businessman am I :-/
“I certainly would not have not treated this like a normal business venture…But then I’m not a millionaire businessman”
That’s probably why Lasana
Lol. No argument there.
I’m guessing too. But what makes that different to any other movie really?
There are obviously cost attached to using the facility. But $50 includes profit. Whereas if MovieTowne took $20 or $30, I might deduce that is their operational cost.
Isn’t $50 the full cost of a ticket to MovieTowne? Does this mean that MovieTowne isn’t donating anything to the cause?
They believe their ‘donation’ is allowing the use of the facility?
[I’m guessing]
Exactly Mel Lissa. I was sure to ask the family because of what happened with the Akeem Adams/Native Spirit fund raiser.
that man is a world class leech yes
Movie Towne’s cost is $50? So they really aren’t donating anything..
ok
When has Derek Chin NOT thought about the bottom line first?