Graham wins $10 000 for PAREDOS

Article by Carlos Atwell

The Parents Education for Development in Barbados (PAREDOS) received a most welcomed $10 000 donation on Thursday, thanks to its former head.

Former director Marcia Graham handed over the cheque to current director, Cecily Clarke-Richmond, at PAREDOS headquarters, Perry Gap, Roebuck Street, St Michael.

Graham said she won the money during the Maria Holder Memorial Trust’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

“The trust had funded some of PAREDOS’ parenting programmes in the past and as a former director, I guess I was still on their list so they invited me to the celebrations. They drew ten people to win $10 000 each and I was one of those called,” she said.

Graham said the monies were not being given for their personal use, however, as the stipulation was for every winner to donate the money to a charity of their choice. Graham said for her, PAREDOS was a no-brainer.

“PAREDOS is a part of me. Before I became director I was a volunteer for 20 years, so when I won that money, my number one choice was PAREDOS,” she said.

Graham said PAREDOS needed “constant and consistent” funding for its myriad programmes and appealed to the public to remember them.

Counselling director Terry Best said they were in desperate need of volunteers, adding they were beginning their 10-week parenting classes this month, and their five-week parent support classes next month. (CA)