Hundreds are poised to benefit from what is hyped to be the largest back to school drive ever experienced by residents of Virgin Gorda, as government officials collaborate with corporate Virgin Islands (VI) and a number of private individuals. Photo: cityplacera.com/File

The back to school initiative set for August 24, 2019 is the brainchild of entrepreneur Allington O. Creque aka ‘Gumption’. Photo: Facebook

Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration and Virgin Gorda resident, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) and his government At-Large team, which includes Junior Minister for Tourism, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles, who is also a resident of Virgin Gorda, are collaborating with Mr Allington O. Creque for a massive back to school drive in the Ninth District. Photo: GIS/File

The initiative set for August 24, 2019 is the brainchild of entrepreneur Allington O. Creque aka ‘Gumption’, who said “If you think the 2019 festival was lit, wait until you see the 2019 back to school fiesta.”

Back to school project gets Gov’t support

According to Mr Creque, along with him, the day’s activities will be spearheaded by Minister for Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration and Virgin Gorda resident, Honourable Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) and his government At-Large team, which includes Junior Minister for Tourism, Honourable Shereen D. Flax-Charles, who is also a resident of Virgin Gorda.

Playing a key role in the activities will also be the Rotaract Club of Virgin Gorda, Flow, The God Movement, Valley Sound Lions, along with other businesses operating on the sister island.

Mr Creque said, “Food supplies will be on hand, cooked food, raw food, clothing, haircuts, face painting bouncy castles, motivational speakers, vouchers and much much more.”

Anegada to be included

According to the young entrepreneur and Virgin Gorda resident, Mr Creque, the event is being staged to ensure every child has the basic necessities for the start of the 2019-2020 academic school year. “Its transformation time in District Nine as my District Rep would say.”

Mr Creque further said the event will be held at the Virgin Gorda Recreational Ground from 10:00 am.

“We will be having a ferry to bring over the people from Anegada because it’s not just a VG thing, it’s a District 9 thing. No one will be left out.”

The initiative took flight when ‘Gumption’, as he is fondly called, made it public he was going to start a ‘No back pack empty’ drive. “Shortly after I made that announcement I received a call from my District Representative [Hon Wheatley] who congratulated me and assured me that no backpack will go empty.”

Since then persons have come forward with donations. “It is very important that our children have the needed tools so they can get the work done and we’re going to make sure they get the kick-start like never before.”

A man of charity

In 2017 through the Necker Cup, Mr Creque helped to raise $3.5M for his community, $1.5M of which went to the Bregado Flax Educational Centre- Secondary Division via Unite BVI.

He had also wind surfed from Virgin Gorda to Anegada to raise almost $10,000 for the Claudia Creque Educational Centre in Anegada.

Mr Creque has forever been supportive of the Valley Sounds School and is currently spearheading the building of a brand new home for a senior citizen, a project which saw him raising over $40,000.

This is just a few of the projects Mr Creque, a high school dropout, has successfully achieved.