WESTERN BUREAU — The Trelawny Returning Residents Association (TRRA) has once again come to the assistance of the Falmouth Infirmary, with the recent donation of an industrial strength washing machine, valued at more than $44,000, to the institution.

In expressing her gratitude, acting matron, Hyacinth Hayden, said the gift could not have come at a better time.

“The gift was well needed, the workers here had to be washing the inmates’ clothes with their hands,” she explained. “And, because of that, it took a little while for them to get their clothes because the process of washing clothes by hands takes time. Now the inmates get their clothes quickly and they are washed even cleaner.” .

TRRA president, Estella Grant, told the Observer that over the years, the group has paid “special attention” to the infirmary’s needs.

“We have refurbished the kitchen by tiling the walls, floor and working area,” she said.

In addition, the association recently carried out much-needed repairs to the sanitary conveniences at the institution.

According to Grant, TRRA last year discovered that the infirmary was badly in need of a washing machine so it decided to stage a number of fund raising activities to acquire the gift.

Over the years the Falmouth infirmary, which is operated by the parish’s local government authority, has been the recipient of a number of gifts from several charitable organisations and individuals.

The institution has roughly 65 inmates and a staff of 25.