LLOYD Clough has been living overseas, but for the past six years he has made it his duty to return to Jamaica during the Emancipation and Independence celebrations.

Clough, a respiratory therapist, has not been visiting to go to the many parties held this time of the year, but rather has

been making meaningful contributions to Mile End, Lodge and surrounding communities in St Ann as a means of giving back to

his homeland.

Clough, who was born and raised in the Mile End community, emigrated at age 18 to the United States where he has been living for several years. However, the former cricketer of the Lodge cricket team has not forgotten

his roots.

Being from the area, he said he feels “the need to give back.” Yearly the people of Mile End, Lodge and surrounding communities on the outskirts of Ocho Rios can look forward to celebrating Independence with a health fair, cricket match and back-to-school treat organised by Clough.

This year was no different, as Clough made his regular trip to put forward his contribution to Jamaica’s 52nd Independence celebrations. However, this time he was joined by several others in organising a three-day event which not only allowed residents to celebrate Independence with a game of cricket, but provided the much-needed assistance with health care and back-to-school supplies for children.

“This year I have assistance,” Clough said. Unlike other years when organising the activities was all up to him, this year others helped in putting it on. This, he believes, made this year one of the best, as it was done differently.

“I think this year is one of the best because instead of having all the activities in one day, we had them over several days. It was less stressful,” Clough explained.

The first activity was the health fair. A health team out of the United States and Canada, organised by Lynval and Jean Henry, supported by two local doctors, attended to hundreds of community people as part of this year’s mission. The health team largely comprised of Jamaicans living overseas.

A large number of students were able to do back-to-school medical checks at the health fair, while several adults were able to get health checks done.

Last Sunday, August 3, the activities continued with a back-to-school treat at which students received supplies including bags and books.

The activities culminated on August 6 with the Lloyd Clough Lodge Twenty/20 cricket competition. Organised to promote community unity and development, the match saw hundreds attending to witness Unity Force and Top Mountain battle for the trophy, along with cash prizes.

Unity Force came out the winners and received prizes amounting to over $80,000.

Clough said that he is grateful to be able to make the cricket competition, which runs from June, an annual activity.

“I feel like we have succeeded; we have met our goal. The Lodge cricket team has won the parish finals of the SDC competition several times,” Clough stated.

Additionally, the competition has promoted unity in the community, Clough said.

“I think the community spirit has improved. There is less crime; there is more community togetherness,” stated Clough, who is also a music producer.

Asked about the success of this year’s activities, Clough said: “It was fabulous, it was great, better than the others.”

Clough said that he was also very happy with the response of the people.

“They love us, they want us to continue,” he added.

Nesroy Grey, manager of the Lodge cricket team

and coordinator of the

Lloyd Clough Twenty/20 competition, said that it has been a major boost for the community which previously suffered from social ills due to youth being uninvolved.

“It helps the community bringing togetherness. It is something that people look forward to every year,” he stated.

“Before this competition started there was a lot of group misbehaving; since the competition there is only minor things happening,” Grey continued.

He, too, concurred that the competition helps to boost cricket in the community, resulting in the Lodge cricket team winning the St Ann Domestic League for three years.

In the meantime, work is still in progress to complete an all-purpose court in the community. Clough said that most of the preparation work has been completed, but added that although appeals were made for local sponsorship to help complete construction, none has

been made.

“We will be working on that for next year,” he said.

Clough, who has produced the single My Soul for Luciano, is asking Jamaicans to purchase the song online. He said that proceeds earned will go towards the continuation of the programme in the St Ann communities.