Veteran activist Cleveland Simmons is calling on the community to help him.

“The bottom and the top line is that as an advocate, I’m still doing what I can for people, but now I’m trying to look after myself,” Mr Simmons said.

The old C & R discount store on the corner of Court and Elliott Street has pitched in, offering a space for the entertainer to peddle his wares.

Mr Simmons is amassing trinkets, furniture, china and musical instruments passed on by friends and acquaintances, to sell from the shop floor.

The Court Street fundraiser starts at the end of this month.

Mr Simmons, known to many as “Outta Sight” from his days as a promoter, still organises performances and takes to the stage at 75.

Mr Simmons is attempting to pay off the Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association charity, which helped him get medical help in 2011.

Mr Simmons said: “I ended up in hospital after a couple of guys robbed me and beat me up.

“I had teeth missing, a broken nose and a broken jaw.”

The LCCA helps needy patients who must be flown overseas for treatment. Mr Simmons has been paying off his bill in stages ever since.

Help has come from many directions, including Martha Dismont, the executive director of Family Centre, and Pauline Richards, the wife of former finance minister Bob Richards.

Among the castaways for sale that have come Mr Simmons’s way is a couch from George Fergusson, the former Governor.

Mr Simmons is also working on fundraiser shows with musician and friend Mitchelle “Arijahknow Live Wires” Trott.

In the meantime, anyone hoping to make him an offer or pitch in with his sales is welcome to get in touch at 516-9968.

“We have all kinds of stuff that people can see at the store on Court Street,” he said. “My interest is to pay off the charity that helped me.”