Family give masks in memory of father who died of Covid-19
The son of a charity fundraiser followed in his late father’s footsteps yesterday and donated 100 handmade masks to a charity for vulnerable families.
Rashad Thompson, 43, delivered the masks to Family Centre on King Street in Hamilton in honour of his father, Rhoderick Lowthorpe, who died of Covid-19 last May.
Mr Thompson said that his father raised funds for the Sunshine League, a children’s charity that has now become part of the Family Centre.
He added: “My mom and I just decided to donate masks on his behalf.
“Masks are the main thing that people need to get through the pandemic so we thought it would be important for them to have enough.”
Mr Thompson said that his mother, Sheila, made the masks by hand with fabric from her old dresses.
He said that the project took about two months to complete and that his mother “did it in her spare time”.
Mr Thompson added: “She used to be a dress maker so she’s pretty nifty with a sewing machine.
“Some were suede, one was made from white lace. A lot had patterns like leopard skin and plaid, stripes – one was even a Jamaican flag.”
Rhoderick Lowthorpe made a name for himself in Bermuda during the 1970s through his eccentric fundraising efforts, which included a walk from St George's to Hamilton in a suit of armour and a rickshaw run.
He died at Kingston Hospital in Surrey, England, aged 75, and is survived by Mr Thompson and his brother, Fahd Shaheed.
Mr Thompson said the masks would be distributed by Family Centre to those in need.
He also encouraged others to get their vaccinations against the coronavirus.
Mr Thompson said: “I got my first vaccination shot a few days ago and I’m getting my next one on April 27.
“I think everybody should get the vaccine as well.”
Hannah Collins, the fund development coordinator for Family Centre, said: “Family Centre is very grateful to Ms Sheila Thompson, who handmade these masks with love.
“We are proud to receive the masks from Sheila and her son Rashad in memory of his father, Mr Rhoderick Lowthorpe.
“Family Centre therapeutic staff will pass on this act of kindness to our families.
“We have families and children who are really in need right now.
“Sheila and Rashad, through their gift, are truly doing their part to help keep our vulnerable families safe during this time.”
Need to
Know
2. Please respect the use of this community forum and its users.
3. Any poster that insults, threatens or verbally abuses another member, uses defamatory language, or deliberately disrupts discussions will be banned.
4. Users who violate the Terms of Service or any commenting rules will be banned.
5. Please stay on topic. "Trolling" to incite emotional responses and disrupt conversations will be deleted.
6. To understand further what is and isn't allowed and the actions we may take, please read our Terms of Service
