‘International Airport will benefit all of us’

One Vincentian is so passionate about the construction of an international airport in St. Vincent and the Grenadines he has made it his mission to raise funds for the project.{{more}}

George Tony, known to his friends as Sonny, on Saturday, May 1, 2010, held a dance at the Hill Top Community Centre in High Wycombe UK, as a fund raising effort to support the building of the Argyle International Airport.

Sonny, who was born in Georgetown, migrated to the United Kingdom in 1961. He, however, said he travels back as often as he can to the land he calls home, where he “feels the right vibes and comfort amongst all those he loves.”

The Christmas holiday is, for him, the best time to visit. This, he says, is when he can “enjoy the music, a few rum punches”, and “when the festive mood is excellent.

At this time, he said, fellow Vincentians are at their best when it comes to hospitality and friendliness.

He also said that his favourite food is salt-fish and roast breadfruit.

Explaining why he feels so strongly about airport development, Tony described the process of having to go through Barbados for a connecting flight to SVG as a nightmare.

He vowed that if supporting the building of the Argyle Airport is the way to avoid such misery and stress, he will be the first to make a donation, hence his drive to raise funds in aiding nation building and the development of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Sonny is of the view that the Argyle International Airport will bring great benefits to his homeland in the event of a natural disaster, as well as facilitating the exportation of items such as fresh produce, and contributing to the overall development of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines tourism economy. The biggest benefit of all, he said, would be the day when he and his family and friends “take an international flight and fly direct to St Vincent and the Grenadines. Oh what a glorious day that will be!”

Acknowledging the local support, Sonny further explained that his effort is a wider call for fellow Vincentians to “support that which will benefit of us all”. He stated that all money raised will be forwarded to the Argyle International Airport Contributory Fund, via an official channel. The money will be a donation from the people, family and friends in High Wycombe UK.