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By Neto Baptiste
Former national women’s footballer, Judy Thomas-Ward, has given yeoman service to country and community through her dedication to the game both as a player and official.
However, the Bolans resident is now in need of the community’s support and the backing of the public in general as, in conjunction with Not Pan My Team and the Antigua and Barbuda Football Referees Association (ABFRA), they will host a Bingo Night on August 9 in an effort to raise funds for urgent medical attention.
Head of Not Pan My Team and former referee, Freston Ireland, said the event will take place at the Bolans Sports Complex starting at 8:00 pm.
“Not Pan My Team is actually joining the ring of other persons trying to raise some funds for her medical issues she is going through right now and what we are doing is a bingo. Bingo is a big thing in Antigua right with our Jamaican counterparts who take it as a business and I think that it is a good way of raising funds,” he said.
The jackpot for the fundraising bingo is $2,500 with a book of 10 tickets costing $100.
Ireland said they have set a goal in terms of how much they would love to raise from the effort while adding that the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) has also made a pledge.
“I purchased 125 books and if I can get all sold off then that would bring me to about $12,500 minus the prize monies so I am looking anything between $6000 to $10,000. I reached out to the General Secretary [of the ABFA, Rohan Hector] and he asked me to pen a letter which I did. I don’t want to misquote him but I think he said that anything I raise from the bingo that he will match it so that’s why I am pushing to raise $10,000. Traveling with someone, they have to pay accommodation, airfare and all of that and Medical Benefit doesn’t really support the other person going along,” he said.
Members of the public can support by purchasing tickets from members of Not Pan My Team or the ABFRA. They can also call 780-4816.
Thomas represented Antigua and Barbuda at the senior national level in football in the mid 2000s while also serving as a football referee following her playing years.
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