Wendy Gooding (right) making a donation to Eugene Holder of the Regional Eye Clinic. Looking on are Sondra Tull (second left) and Cheryl Callender (second right). (NB)

THE LATE Akil Gooding just loved to help others.

So to honour his memory his mother Wendy Gooding made a donation recently to the Children's Eyecare Fund.

"Akil is the type of child who liked to help others. He would have loved to do this. He always shared what he had with someone who was in need or less fortunate," she recalled as she was making a donation to The Children's Eyecare Fund at the Regional Eye Clinic on Upper Bay Street in St Michael recently.

The money was collected at Akil's funeral.

Akil, a former Alexandra School student, died on June 15 after the rusting pole supporting a basketball hoop and backboard at the community sports court in Free Hill, St Michael, gave way as he was making a slam dunk.

Gooding said she learnt of the fund, which is managed by Dr David Callender, through her sister who works at the clinic.

Secretary/treasurer Eugene Holder said the fund was established about six years ago and helps children who need assistance with eyewear and pays for equipment for eye care at the hospital.

In addition, the fund goes toward the training of nurses and a paediatrician. (KB)