KAROY ANDERSON hopes he and his Jamaica team-mates will lift a country devastated by Hurricane Melissa by securing World Cup qualification during this international break.
The Reggae Boyz take on Trinidad & Tobago tonight and Curacao in the early hours of next Wednesday with their place at next summer’s tournament on the line.
Both games are hugely significant with Jamaica currently topping their group by a point over Curacao and four ahead of Trinidad & Tobago.
Only the top team automatically qualifies while second will put them into the play-offs.
But the awful storm that swept the Caribbean island was the worst recorded in the country’s history — causing thousands to lose their homes and £6BILLION worth of damage to property and infrastructure.
Midfielder Anderson, 21, is one of four Jamaican internationals on the books of Championship club Charlton — alongside Amari’i Bell and Tyreece Campbell with Kaheim Dixon currently on loan at League Two side Crawley.
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Also among the Addicks ranks are midfielder Harvey Knibbs and striker Miles Leaburn, who have Jamaican heritage.
And the six of them have joined forces to help raise funds for the victims and to help rebuild the country.
Anderson told SunSport: “We felt as a group of players at the club, coming from Jamaica and having the means to help a little, that we should do something.
“My mum and I have been packing barrels full of clothes and food supplies to send over to anyone who needs it.
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“I was so sad to hear and see what had happened — and even more difficult with it being my family’s homeland.
“When news broke, I was thinking immediately about all the people I know and worried.
“My family over there are OK. They’ve not been harmed physically — but they have lost things that they had and don’t have much left so it’s been difficult.
“But the most important thing is they still have their lives, which is at least something positive in such a difficult situation.
“We all have family there, loved ones, our friends and we all share that same concern for our country but this awful time has brought everyone closer together.”
Anderson believes the devastation has only galvanised him and the Reggae Boyz to try to help lift spirits by getting enough points this week to reach the World Cup next summer.
Jamaica have only reached the finals once — at France 98.
People are feeling low but getting to the World Cup will just bring a spark to the country
KAROY ANDERSON
He said: “It’s probably the most determined this group of players have been.
“When you look at the images of the state that Jamaica is in right now we just want to bring them a great sense of joy and create history.
“It will be special to give the Jamaican nation something to smile about.
“Reaching the World Cup will be a huge boost. People are feeling low but getting to the finals will just bring a spark to the country.
“We sit top of the group, have only lost one game, we have two more to go and it’s now all about getting the job done.
“The first game with Trinidad away from home is huge. If we get a result there, we can come back home for the final game confident we can do it.”
The Jamaica head coach is none other than former Three Lions manager Steve McClaren.
And Anderson has enjoyed working with the former Newcastle and Middlesbrough boss.
He said: “It’s been a great opportunity to work with someone who knows the game well and what it takes. He’s worked with some top players.
“Since McClaren took over we’ve improved. The results have shown that.”
Midfielder Knibbs, 26, feels humbled by the way the nation has come together while going through adversity.
The Charlton ace has aunts, uncles and cousins living there.
And he said: “I managed to touch base with them and they’re safe. Their homes are intact too. They were only affected by power cuts.
“Obviously there’s a lot of impacted areas — especially on the west side areas have been wiped out, like St Elizabeth.
“So where we can help we wanted to. We’ve got such a big Jamaican family here, so we found it really important.
“We want to get the funding to rebuild those areas as well as get supplies and clean water to everyone as soon as possible.
“It’s so refreshing to see everyone who either has or knows people who have Jamaican heritage come together to try and help.”
Leaburn — son of Charlton legend Carl — has Jamaican blood running through his family too.
And the striker, 21, was horrified by the devastation.
He said: “My aunt lives there and thankfully she is OK but there has been so much damage done to the country.
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“We’ve got a big Jamaican spine here at Charlton. Amari’i has captained the team a few times and got us all together to donate, set up an appeal and raise awareness.”
ANYONE wishing to donate to help bring relief to Jamaica can do so by visiting https://supportjamaica.gov.jm
