Jamaica and West Indies batting star Marlon Samuels, through his foundation, continued a glowing innings in giving back to the Jamaica Society for the Blind as he reached the $1.85-million milestone in aiding the visually impaired.
The Marlon Samuels Foundation, which supports Jamaica Society for the Blind to fulfil its mandate of promoting the welfare, education and employment of persons who are blind or visually impaired, yesterday handed over a symbolic cheque of $1.5 million to the Society.
A further $350,000 was also extended to Garfield Mitchell, 23, a visually impaired student of the Church Teachers College, who achieved seven CXC subjects with grades one and two.
Since starting the foundation in 2013, Samuels has so far donated well over $3 million to the cause and told the Jamaica Observer that he is willing to continue that hard work, as he believes there is a lot more help to offer.
I started this foundation because I am always somebody that gives back wherever I can; the first year I spent a million and asked Digicel to help and they did, the second year I spent another million and asked Lime (now FLOW) and they helped me a lot and the third year I did the party and asked everybody to donate to the foundation.
So far it has been wonderful
I am not going to say its easy, but I have often said playing cricket for so many years is what makes a Marlon Samuels and this is something that I am going to continue to do. I started a movement called the Icon Movement, which is something that is very powerful and its going to be helping peoples lives and giving people the opportunity, the outspoken player said at a press conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel yesterday.
Former Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller joined Minister of Sports Olivia Grange as well as West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President Dave Cameron and president of West Indies Players Association (WIPA) Wavell Hinds were on hand to commend Samuels.
The specialist West Indies batsman made the bold move after being hit by a ball from Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga through the grill of his helmet, while representing Melbourne Renegades in the Australian Big Bash Twenty20 tournament in 2013.
Reported by Jamaica Observer
Message Board Archives
Big Innings by Marlon batting for his Charity
If my caption read: "Marlon bats for the Blind", then VOD and his posse would have been cracking up with laughter. However, visual impairment is no laughing matter, so I want to personally commend Marlon Samuels for his philanthropic spirit!
In reply to Slipfeeler
Commendations are in order.
Helegance is the man...I mean icon
In reply to Narper
Let's say an iconic move by Samuels!
nice to see this sense of social responsibility in our guys!
In reply to camos
Well our professional athletes need to give back to the society which has been supporting their careers in diverse ways!
In reply to Narper
Nice job this Marlon.....nat de one dat gave that interview....
Look like Wavell and DC was there during the interview!
In reply to WestDem
The pic in the Observer showed Marlon surrounded by Former PM Portia Simpson, current Minister of Sports Babsy Grange, WICB President Dave Cameron, Wavell Hinds and other dignitaries.
Congrats dude, actions speaks louder than words.
Reallyu good move there Marlon, you just don't talk wid de bat, Iconic move indeed.
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