Woman gets help

SPANISH TOWN, St Catherine:

CHRISTMAS EVE was a joyous day in the life of fire victim Sherene Howard as she received a cheque to assist in making a month's rent deposit.

Howard got the donation courtesy of Member of Parliament Denise Daley, who heard of her plight.

"I am very pleased and thankful for this assistance. I am now able to make the necessary down payment on somewhere to live," Howard told Rural Xpress.

A bashful Howard said she was pleased that the donation came just before Christmas

She explained that in 2006, the four-apartment house she occupied on D'Aguillar Road in the Corporate Area went up in flames.

"I was not at home, but when I went there, all that I saw was fire and I lost everything," Howard lamented.

She revealed that since then, life has spiralled downward for her.

Howard, who holds a diploma from one of the nation's teacher's colleges, said it has been a constant battle to survive.

Norris Grant, who handed over the cheque on Christmas Eve on behalf of the donor, said was a great way to give to those in need.

"We are pleased to be able to assist this lady. It is very obvious that she needs help to settle down," Grant said.