The recovery of Della-Marie Walcott is of utmost importance to her loved ones so in an effort to raise funds to assist with the young national chess player's escalating medical expenses, a curry que has been planned along with a number of other fundraising events.
Walcott slipped into a coma after having a tumor removed from her brain on December 22 and is warded in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at St Clair Medical Hospital.
The Curry Q, which will be at Hott Shoppe on Mucurapo Road, Port-of-Spain, is set to run from January 25 to March 31 except during the week of carnival festivities from February 4-13. Tickets will not be redeemable.
"The first batch of tickets has already sold out and more will be available by the end of the week," said Amiel Mohammed, the Walcott's cousin yesterday.
Walcott, the 2013 Carifta junior chess champion has represented T&T at several regional and international chess tournaments, including bringing home gold and silver medals at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) and Carifta youth chess championships over the past seven years.
The 14-year-old student of St Joseph Convent, Port-of-Spain was also a member of T&T women's team at the World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey and Tromso, Norway in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Her performances earned her nominations for the First Citizens Sports Foundation Youth Awards in 2011 and 2013.
"The outpouring of support from T&T and those abroad thus far have truly been humbling. Every little kind gesture, offer of support and prayer cannot be undervalued. It is in these moments that solace can be found in something as simple as a hug or a smile. We continue to believe and smile with T&T as we hope and pray for her recovery," said Mohammed in a release earlier this week.
Anyone interested in assisting can make donations at https://www.gofundme.com/hyjvc2rr or contact Mohammed at 755-3734 for further information.
Mohammed also said other fundraising events are being formalised including a movie fundraiser at Movietowne.
He said, "We are also going to provide a local deposit account. These details will be announced on Thursday."
Rachael King
rachael.king@guardian.co.tt