It was an early Christmas for scores of residents from communities around Hellshire, St. Catherine on National Heroes Day as they flocked to the Sand Hills Vista sports field for a day of fun and fellowship.

Recreational activities like football, basketball and netball competitions were the order of the day.

The children played on a bounce-a-bout as others were engaged in a storytelling session led by a resident.

Delford Julal, chairperson of the all-Hellshire Leadership Council (the umbrella organisation) endorsed the day’s activities.

“The aim was to bring the 20 communities together in a cohesive way - to have persons from all over the community just bring colour and purpose and we trust that it will get bigger and better. And it is very important that the residents have responded, and so far, I am very pleased,” Julal said.

He said that each of the 20 communities has its own association, but it ( Hellshire) is of a dormitory nature, so any form of social activities is well received.

Councillor Vanrick Peddie promised to assist in having the facilities in good condition for future activities in the community.

“This is great infrastructure with lights and a hard court, therefore it is easier to host events here. I am going to be donating my sports allocation of $250,000 to this centre for its continued development,” Preddie said.

The day’s activities ended with music, a game of dominoes, and a generous array of food and drink.