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UK Police & Military shoe box gift drive benefits some 2000 VI children

- Ja'Miah E. Pickering gets special Christmas gift from UK Officer Pete Brown
December 23rd, 2017 | Tags: gift drive UK Police UK military Rubicon Pete Brown
A trailer load of gifts for children of the Virgin Islands, compliments of the United Kingdom Military and Police. Photo: Facebook
School children gleefully help to unpack gifts sent to them by members of the United Kingdom's Police and Military. Photo: Facebook
School children gleefully help to unpack gifts sent to them by members of the United Kingdom's Police and Military. Photo: Facebook
Chief Fire Officer Zebalon A. McLean lending a hand to ensure the gifts are delivered promptly to children. Photo: Facebook
Chief Fire Officer Zebalon A. McLean lending a hand to ensure the gifts are delivered promptly to children. Photo: Facebook
Ja'Miah E. Pickering is assisted on her new bicycle sent specially for her by UK Police Officer Pete Brown. Photo: JTV
Ja'Miah E. Pickering is assisted on her new bicycle sent specially for her by UK Police Officer Pete Brown. Photo: JTV
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Some 2000 gifts are being distributed to children across the territory for the Christmas holidays, all compliments of police and military officers from the United Kingdom (UK).

Following the destructive Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017, hundreds of external police and military officers, especially from the UK, descended on these shores and, while their primary focus was to provide security and aid in the recovery process, there were those who became otherwise attached to the Territory.

Some met persons and even animals that left an unerasable impression on their hearts. This is the case of UK officer Pete Brown, who will forever carry the memory of young VIslander Ja'Miah E. Pickering, 3, of West End, Tortola. Following the hurricane that destroyed the child's home, the officer spotted her standing at the side of the road clinging to a stuffed toy with just her underwear on and looking very sad.

The story was told that the image of that child remained with Officer Brown, who later asked local police to find the child as he wanted to do something special for her. After returning to his home country, he sourced a special gift for her- a bicycle- and with the help of his peers had it shipped and presented to the child.

That gift was accompanied by 2000 others. Other military officers heard of others who feared they would not have had a Christmas in the British Territory of the Virgin Islands this year. Moved by this shared thought, they started a shoe box gift drive in the UK where other officers, their families, friends and others donated a shoe box packed with gifts for children.

This amounted to some 2000 gifts.

With the help of Rubicon, the gifts were shipped here and with the assistance of members of the Rotary Family they were distributed to schools across the territory.

18 Responses to “UK Police & Military shoe box gift drive benefits some 2000 VI children”

  • Gumption. Official (23/12/2017, 10:27) Like (20) Dislike (1) Reply
    What a truly wonderful thing to do. To me we got a lucky set of UK officers and military officers. I’m truly touch they remember us even after departing. They really care for our community; wish we cared as well.
  • foxy (23/12/2017, 10:58) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    WHERE do I go to get one?
  • Lovely (23/12/2017, 11:07) Like (15) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is so selfless and touching. Thanks guys
  • Marie (23/12/2017, 11:26) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This touched my heart to the point of tears. This takes a special person to be so wonderful to others they don’t know. To all have a safe and happy holiday.
  • Fabulous V (23/12/2017, 12:09) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is such an awesome jesture by the UK and military officers. This says a lot! I am touched by the love in the hearts of these men and women. God bless you all!
  • Hmm (23/12/2017, 12:51) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    But which school not any in east????
  • mention (23/12/2017, 16:08) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    When I heard this being announced on my car radio I broke into tears. They really didn't have to do this but they did and went out of their way to do it. I really sobbed like a baby. Thank you guys soo much for helping make our kids have a brighter holiday season. It may be the only gift some may receive.
  • Mark Hooper (23/12/2017, 17:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thank you all so much, what a thoughtful, wonderful gesture.
  • alvin (24/12/2017, 01:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The British ARE coming
  • Ban we. We ban you (24/12/2017, 03:15) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    You ban we. We ban you and NDP. We won't forget
  • wize up (24/12/2017, 14:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Had the British remained this territory would have be further along but political power will be the down fall for some of us: putting politics before people is wrong
    • @wizeup (24/12/2017, 18:36) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Wow!!! a few blogs ago u were talking about the " pale faces said go home" now you believe that had they remain the territory would have been further along. Make up your mind and stop blogging for likes.
  • barbie (24/12/2017, 17:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    A warm felt thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous new year. Once again thank you.
  • barbie (24/12/2017, 17:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    A warm felt thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous new year. Once again thank you.
  • Trini (26/12/2017, 00:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is awesome
  • wondering (29/12/2017, 13:47) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is all well and good but I have 6 grandchildren in 5 different schools and not 1 of them got a shoebox for Christmas. So which schools got and how was it determined who would or would not get? ????????
  • Dan the man (11/01/2018, 16:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hi wondering it concerns me that your grandchildren didn't receive anything , has this changed since you posted your comment.
    I would like to know so this can be remedied. Please email me Daniel.Holdsworth@merseyside.pnn.police.uk
    That's me in the top photo wearing the the Team Rubicon T shirt with my back turned to the camera sorting the shoe boxes.
    Regards and God's Blessings Dan


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