BY SHERDON COWAN

THE Daniel Sturridge Foundation graced the hearts of the Greenwich Town Primary School family with a funding of $200,000 that will go towards sporting and recreational activities.

However, the England-born Sturridge was not present at Friday’s handing-over ceremony, as he is back in his home country undertaking pre-season preparations for his Barclay’s Premier League club Liverpool.

The 24-year-old striker, who is of Jamaican parentage, continues to give back to his roots as he used his visit to the island recently to fulfil duties for his foundation, which saw him hosting an annual family fun day in partnership with telecommunications firm Digicel recently.

The school, which was established in 1938, was the foundation of education for members of the Sturridge family over the years.

According to Hopeton Oswald, who is a representative of the foundation, the donation is the commencement of multiple projects by the foundation within the community and the school in particular.

“We are all former students here, so we wanted to do something back for our roots and this is one of the projects,” he told the Sunday Observer.

He continued: “There is also another project where we will be donating equipment to the Greenwich Town football team. This is something that we want to do continually, because we want to uplift the school and community in any way possible.”

Meanwhile, Principal Bryan Guscott said the generous gift will go a far way in the school’s sporting endeavours, by providing equipment, gear and transportation for the students in various competitions.

He added that the school is “extremely delighted for the donation”, and is “looking forward to having a very long and lasting relationship with this foundation”.

“We just want to say thanks a million to Daniel Sturridge. As someone with roots and ancestors from this institution, it is a very wonderful experience to know that through some of his family members he is able to still be in touch with, and give back to, his roots. We wish for him all the best in his football endeavours,” Guscott said.

He went further by challenging other persons to follow the trend of the Sturridge Foundation.

Manager of the Greenwich Town football team and a member of the school board, Maxine Simpson, shared the sentiments of the principal.

“We welcome and appreciate this donation. It means so much to us, and this money will not go in vain… it is going to go towards the sporting arena and we are hoping to see its continuation,” she said.

It was indicated that the foundation will sign a contract with the Greenwich Town football team, which will see them being given assistance on a yearly basis.