Cheque presented to Saba fire victim

A cheque was presented Thursday to Saba fire victim Lillian Leverock, who lost her home in a fire on November 18, 2015. The cheque was presented by Commander of the Caribbean Netherlands Fire Department of St. Eustatius Andre Bennett, accompanied by colleague firemen here on Saba at the Fire Station in The Bottom.

Commander André Bennett of St. Eustatius Fire Department and members of the Saba Fire Department presenting a cheque to fire victim Lillian Leverock (right).

After the tragic loss of Leverock’s family home in St. John’s last year, the Caribbean Netherlands Fire Department and Nu- Star Fire Team in Statia combined forces and held a fundraising food sale on Tuesday, December 15, during which they raised US $2,319.20 for the Leverock family.

On behalf of herself and her family, Leverock thanked everyone involved for their kindness and generosity. “It has been tough, but we have grown together as a family and are making the best of it and by God’s will taking it day by day,” she said.

The Leverock home was completely destroyed by fire. Although the Fire Department was on the scene very quickly, the house was fully engulfed by the time they arrived and there was little they could do.

Sadly, it was also close to the anniversary of Lillian Leverock’s brother’s death. The fire fighter on Statia died of cancer.

Commander Bennett said this tragic loss was felt throughout the fire-fighting community, which is a closeknit family. “Seeing the family in need, we answered their call and planned the fundraiser for Lillian and her family,” said Bennett.

The Saba community also came together with a gofund- me page and various sources of donations in aid of the fire victims.

Commander Bennett was filling in on Saba this week for Chief Julio Every, who is currently in the United States assessing a new vehicle to improve the abilities of the fire unit at Juancho Yrausquin Airport.

The Daily Herald.