Former Minister of Health Jerome Walcott is surrounded by well-wishers yesterday after collecting a number of gifts. (Picture by Charles Grant.)

FORMER MINISTER OF HEALTH Jerome Walcott might have been defeated at last Tuesday's poll, but he will always be a winner to his supporters.

What should have been a "thank you" party for people who worked on the campaign turned out to be much more yesterday.

Walcott ended up with a number of gifts from people who worked closely with him in the Christ Church South constituency.

"We wanted to show our appreciation to Dr Walcott for having served us for the past four-and-a-half years, and to let him
know that we are going to continue supporting him.

"We like the kind of individual and type of representative that he is and we've pledged our support all the way, no matter what happens," branch president Ingrid Husbands-Griffith said.

Walcott said he was overwhelmed by the gesture.

"I was moved by the expression and the kind words that they said. They gave me a number of gifts and it makes you feel sort of emotional at this point in time.

"We've worked very hard as a team, and I expressed my appreciation to them. I commended them for their dedication, and it makes you feel at the end of the day that people recognise what you're trying to do," the doctor said from his Upper Carter's Gap, Christ Church office.

He said he was looking forward to about two months' vacation before returning to his medical practice.
(YB)