‘Tell Ralph and not ask Ralph’ – Connell

Head of the Grassroot Tennis Club Grant Connell, is calling on the Government, in particular Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, to pay greater attention to persons suffering from kidney failure.

Speaking at the closing of the CK Greaves/Lewis Pharmacy Grassroot Tennis Club Top 16 Tennis Tournament, last Saturday at the Grand View Tennis Club, Connell said it is time persons stop couching the issues.

“We have to come out from the edge and stop asking and tell… You know that saying, to ask Ralph?… I think it is time we tell Ralph… Tell Ralph to put it on the front burner,” Connell belted.

“It is so crucial that we deal with this issue and I thought through sport I will highlight it…The cost factor involved when someone is struck down with kidney problem, it is almost like a death sentence and we have to do something about it,” Connell added.

A concerned Connell also called on the head of government to speed up the completion of the Diagnostic Centre at Chili, Georgetown.

Connell was at the time highlighting the plight of a former teacher of the St Joseph’s Convent Mesopotamia, Clara John-Smart, who has to come up with $6,000 per month for treatment at a clinic here.

As part of the GTC’s contribution, the cost of one week’s treatment was handed over to John-Smart’s father, Curtis John.

Also benefitting from the GTC’s drive to assist was the St Benedict’s Day Nursery of Georgetown, which was presented with a washing machine.

The washing machine was received by Nyra Anne Pajotte, on behalf of the Day Nursery.

Connell, in commending Pajotte and her other staffers, said, “You deal with the children who many will put down and don’t recognize … She has the school and puts up with all the stress and keeps on ticking”.

Connell also revealed that he was able to secure 30 sacks of Rock Hard cement from agent Ryan Gonsalves, to help the St Benedict’s Day Nursery with their building project.