A two-year-old boy facing a Christmas without his mother will wake up tomorrow to an array of presents from the community.

Anonymous donors rallied with TNN News to deliver a load of gifts to Kamal Emmanuel Chavaun Worrell, whose mother Chavelle Dillon-Burgess has been missing since April.

The toddler now lives in the Pembroke home of Chavelle’s mother, Rose Belboda, who is in the process of adopting the boy.

Ms Belboda said she wished “my one and only daughter could be with my only grandson – she would be a really big difference in his life”.

The family has weathered a painful year since the disappearance of Ms Dillon-Burgess, who would have turned 27 in May.

The police search and investigation is ongoing, and the public joined with her friends and family to comb the island several times over the year.

Ms Belboda said the family was taking things “just day by day”.

“What can I say? I leave it in the Lord’s hands, and for the police to do what they have to do.”

But yesterday Ms Belboda struggled with tears of gratitude for the outpouring of donations for the family.

Her grandson was joined by his young uncle, Chavelle’s ten-year-old brother Josiah Belboda, and Tene Dowling, the family’s support worker, at the presentation by Mr Lindsay.

Mr Lindsay said: “I remember Christmas as a child, with joy for myself and my siblings. A child should not have to know what’s going on in the big people’s world, but just enjoy being a child.

“That’s what brought this to fruition – to make this little boy’s Christmas brighter, despite the circumstances of which he is still unaware.”

Mr Lindsay said he and colleagues “brainstormed to do a drive to make their Christmas more special”.

The group contacted Ms Belboda to ask about the family’s needs and get the youngster’s clothing and shoe size details.

Presents included toiletries and gift certificates.

Mr Lindsay said: “It’s everything a little boy would need.”

The toddler also received a tricycle, which was an instant hit.

An emotional Ms Belboda said she was at a loss for words.

She added: “I just thank the community for pooling together. On behalf of my grandson and my son Josiah, I would like to thank you all.

“This has been a very difficult year for our family, and in the absence of my daughter I am determined to do all I can to give my baby Kamal a home and love him unconditionally.”

Ms Belboda also thanked Ms Dowling for “supporting me from my daughter going missing”.

Ms Dowling said she was studying for a Master’s degree in applied anthropology, community development and youth work.

She said: “I wanted to get involved. This is one of the first things that came up helping to look for Chavelle. I help with legal matters and support any time I’m needed.”

Ms Dowling said many in the community still wanted to assist the family, and that she planned to help set up a charitable fundraiser in 2021 to help.