Tennis Marathon nets $11,000 and more

The extraordinary response by individuals and businesses to a fund-raising initiative undertaken by the Grassroot Tennis Club last Saturday at the Grand View Hotel tennis court, to aid victims of Hurricane Irma, which ravished several northern Caribbean territories, has netted in excess of $11 000.

Dubbed a Tennis Marathon, the effort targetted $10 000, but it was surpassed.

The objective was that one coach from the GTC set-up, Grant Connell or Trevor Sam, was on court during the 12-hour period, which started at 6 a.m. and ended at 6 p.m.

During that period, individual representatives from the sponsors, or others, received an introduction to the game by Connell or Sam.

In return, the sponsor of each hour paid the cost of that hour.

Beginning at $200, then progressing by $100 for each of the other hours, summed up the $10 000 target.

The contribution to each hour went in the order of Dwight ‘Bing’ Joseph of Boom 106.9, Be Fit movement, Corey and Fitz Huggins, Health Solutions Inc., Keith Boyea of BMC Agencies/Beacon Insurance, former national Tennis players Deron Grant and Andre Prince, Jankie Glass, Hazel Gun-Munro, Lewis Pharmacy, Coreas Hazells Inc, Stephen Joachim and CK Greaves & Co Ltd. 

In addition to the Tennis Marathon, a sumptuous barbecue and collection drive of clothing and other items added to the day’s activities.

But Connell, head of the Grassroot Tennis Club, on Tuesday revealed that the focus has changed to Dominica, in light of what transpired on that island Monday night as a result of the passage of Hurricane Maria.

“We are going to purchase supplies and efforts would be made to secure transport to that island and the appropriate institution that would effect the distribution of items shipped,” Connell disclosed.   

“We have to continue to be our brothers’ keepers, as we are all in the hurricane belt and we never know when it will be our time to need such help,” the GTC head commented.

Connell applauded the efforts of the Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines, especially Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves and other Vincentians who responded unwaveringly to the relief efforts.

Connell thanked all those who made the event a success, which included the proprietors of the Grand View Hotel, Tony and Heather Sardine, the individual sponsors of the 12 hours on court, along with head coach Trevor Sam.

“Special mention must also be made of chef Carlos and Nicholas Boyea, who operated the grill last Saturday, Rohan Thomas, Jamie Ollivierre, William Dabreo, Ferique Shortte, the chief operations officer at the Kingstown Fish Market, Stephen Joachim, Martin Bollers of Premium Products Ltd, Jankie Glass, Frank Da Silva/Star Radio, Dwight ‘Bing’ Joseph of Boom 106.9 FM, Justin Douglas of Nice Radio, patrons of the barbecue and team GTC for making the event a success,” Connell concluded.