Brug honours six seniors at Day of the Elderly event

Former Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Richinel Brug hosted a Day of the Elderly celebration on Thursday 1 October, according to Brug. Six senior residents received plaques for continuing to support seniors and other vulnerable people in the community.

The honourees were Raymond Jesurrun, Monique “Nanny Nurssy” Gumbs, former Island Council member and Commissioner Patricia Flanders, Emilia Hughes, Marva Van Henningen and Maria Chemont, Brug said. Brug organised this year’s event personally after leaving office, with support from sponsors and community partners.

Brug also recognised senior media workers Fernando Clark, Jacques Hamlet, known as Billy D, Wendell Moore, Eddie Williams, Bibi Hodge Shaw, Don Hughes, Francis Carty, Fabian Badejo, Dwight Barran and Oral Gibbes. Theodore Ricardo William received special recognition for his contribution to the development of local media.

Brug said the event should also prompt discussion about support for people as they age. He said he had hoped to advance a mandatory supplementary pension system while serving as minister and intends to finalise it if he returns to public office.