Port Antonio Lions assist retired cop

Port Antonio:

The Lions Club of Port Antonio, in keeping with its philanthropic efforts, donated a wheelchair to Rhoda Folkes, a retired district constable from Millbank in Portland.

Folkes was presented with the well-needed wheelchair recently by members of the Lions Club, during a brief ceremony held on the lawns of the Electoral Office of Jamaica at Allan Avenue in Port Antonio.

"It is always a wonderful feeling to provide assistance to the less fortunate", said Edison Taylor, a member of the club.

"This is a lady who served the community of Millbank with distinction, but due to multiple challenges, compounded by illness, she is unable to move about freely. Having learned of her discomfort, we decided to see how best we could provide assistance to her. Today we are fulfilling a part of our mandate in assisting the needy," he added.

Folkes is the mother of the late Jessica King, who was murdered in August 2013 by her boyfriend, a policeman, who allegedly shot and killed her near the entrance to the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio. Her boyfriend is in prison for the killing.

Since her daughter's death, Folkes, who served for 25 years as a district constable in Millbank, has been faced with multiple challenges, including the loss the use of both legs.

"I am grateful to Lions Club for this wheelchair. It will ease the burden greatly, as I will be able to move around the house with utmost ease. I pray God's blessing on you all, and I wish for you long life, good health, and prosperity," Folkes said.