A back-to-school event organised by a group of Progressive Labour Party MPs has been deemed a roaring success, with more than 400 people taking part.

Michael Weeks, the Shadow Minister of Culture, said the annual event first came about six years ago when he and his wife noticed that people were struggling to afford school supplies.

“These parents were not necessarily concerned about having new items of clothing or shoes for their children, but that they could not even afford to purchase pencils or pens,” he said.

“Cindy and I, quite moved by the experience, decided that we needed to do something.

“We tossed around several ideas, but the ‘Free Community Back-to-School Fun Day’ was what we decided upon, primarily because if these parents in our constituency were in need of school supplies, perhaps so were others. Initially, we would set aside funds each year to facilitate the event but, over the years, it has grown in leaps and bounds. So much so that we are fortunate to partner with the surrounding constituencies MPs, Walter Roban and Rolfe Commissiong, and community partners who sponsor various facets of the event.

“Without provocation, we also receive donations to this good cause in the form of food, clothing items and even those who volunteer their time.”

He said that this year almost 400 students from across the Island attended the event at Victor Scott Primary School, receiving a backpack and other school supplies.

Among the various food and games there was also a white elephant table, where parents could find “like new” school clothes, shoes and other items.

For the second year, a raft of helping agencies also took part in the event, including the Diagnostics Centre, Scars, the Heard Chapel Homework Club, Open Airways, the Women’s Resource Centre, the Focus Counselling Centre and the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority.

“A great time was had by all, and we look forward to next year, when we will celebrate seven years in serving the community in this way,” Mr Weeks added.

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