WESTERN BUREAU — When George Campbell was dismissed from the Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) in 1972, for medical reasons, he was not entitled to gratuity or pension from the government because he had served the Force for less than 10 years.

He was subsequently left without an income and, as a result, he had to depend on relatives for the basic items he needed for survival.

Things went from bad to worse in 1988, when Hurricane Gilbert severely damaged Campbell’s two-bedroom house in Rio Bueno, Trelawny.

This left him with no choice but to occupy a nearby abandoned building in the community.

Since then, the former constable’s living conditions have steadily declined — and so has his health.

Last year, the ISCF Association was told about his plight and members took a decision to assist their former colleague.

“Last year, contact was made with the Association by the retired member seeking help to repair the damaged building and the matter was brought to the central executive,” chairman of the ISCF Association, Inspector Daniel Williams, told the Observer. “A decision was taken to refurbish the two-bedroom house that was damaged by Hurricane Gilbert.”

Work on the house, which is being carried out at a cost of $120,000 began last week, is expected to be completed within another week.

According to Williams, funding is being provided by the ISCF’s welfare fund.

The welfare fund consists of a pool of members’ donations of $30 monthly.

Over the past few years, a number of retired and disabled members of the ISCF Association have been assisted from the fund.