Searchlight donates to motherless children

Interactive Media Limited (IML), publisher of the SEARCHLIGHT newspaper, reached out to less fortunate members of the community on Wednesday, January 2, 2008, when it donated a food basket to two motherless children of Arnos Vale.{{more}}

Seven-year-old Jennifer Gill and her five-year-old brother Jeffrey Gill, were both all smiles when they were told by the SEARCHLIGHT staff that the food basket, which included groceries and two wrapped presents, belonged to them.

Jennifer and Jeffrey are motherless.

Just over two years ago, SEARCHLIGHT provided coverage of the murder of the children’s mother, Jennine “Lucy” Gill, who was killed along with Vonley “Crimo” Llewellyn on Thursday, December 15, 2005.

Gill was found at her burnt out Fountain home with several stab wounds, while Llewelyn was discovered with a blow to the head. Policeman Erikson Harris was arrested and charged on March 2, 2006, with the double murder.

“This is really wonderful. I thank you all very much for the kindness. Thank you and God bless you all,” said Rosetta Gill, the bereft grandmother who has been struggling to support the children on her own since the death of their mother.

Interactive Media Limited (IML) will also be making a donation to nine-year-old Kimberly Shallow, of Canouan, who was shot by her father.

Last May, Kimberly’s father, Tom ‘Dickie’ Sutherland, went to the Sandy Bay Anglican School, picked up his daughters (Kimberly and Rosanna Shallow) and led them to a secluded area on the beach, where he shot them. Kimberly’s sister Rosanna died in that incident.

Chief Executive Officer of Interactive Media Limited, Clare Keizer, said “Very often, people get the impression that reporters are cold, unfeeling individuals who are only interested in writing sensational stories so that newspapers sell.

“What people don’t realize is that in many cases, we are moved to tears by the pain and suffering caused by the horrendous acts of violence we report in our stories, especially when children are involved. Sometimes we can’t get the little, innocent faces like those of Jennifer, Jeffrey and Kimberly out of our minds.”

The CEO explained that the groceries and gifts were bought with money donated by the staff members, which was matched by the company.

Two weeks ago, the company donated a food basket to Amanda Edwards, a 99-year-old resident of Chateaubelair.