Help on way for BT family overlooked in wake of fire
Burned out house in Bodden Town
(CNS): A local man who organized a massive community effort to help get a George Town family on the road to recovery after a fire devastated their lives last month is turning his attention to a family in Bodden Town who also lost their home in a fire a few weeks before. Matthew Leslie, from the Cayman Islands Brewery, who is emerging as a power to be reckoned with when it comes to community action in Cayman, has once again coordinated volunteers and enlisted support from local companies to pitch in and help a family in need.
Following the outpouring of support for the Buttrum family in George Town, where 17 people lost their homes in a fire but have already begun rebuilding their lives and property as a result of the community effort, Leslie is now helping a family who were overlooked in the immediate wake of the fire at their Bodden Town home. The Buttrum family will also be pitching in to help with the work at the Bodden Town Home, Leslie told CNS.
Lisa Anglin, her sons Jake and Sivan, as well as an elderly tenant were all left homeless when their home on Monument Road went up in flames at the beginning of July. The 84-year-old tenant was in the house when the fire started but was rescued from the burning building without injury. However, the family lost everything.
Buoyed by the genuine desire of so many people in the community wanting to help and what he said is the real Caymankind spirit, Leslie set about organizing the latest effort to get this family back on their feet again and rebuild their home.
Starting at 9am on Saturday morning, Leslie is urging anyone who can help to join in the effort to tear down the burned out shell of the Anglin home and help with fundraising efforts for the rebuild. Using Facebook and social media as a way to recruit volunteers and donations, Leslie has already organized local firms to help with the demolition project and restaurants to supply the food on the day. Alongside the management of CIB, Island Waste Carrier and AI rentals are helping with the demolition and equipment and Papa John’s will be feeding the volunteers.
“We have got to keep the Caymankind going,” Leslie said, noting that a disaster had brought the community together to help those in need some ten days ago and they had the chance to do it all again. “There is now a family in Bodden Town who lost everything too and we can’t forget about them. We must help as you never know when it could be you.”
Leslie also pointed to the support from the Buttrum’s. “They are very concerned about the family in Bodden Town and they have organized a group that will be helping with the effort. They are paying it forward,” he said.
With the goal of getting all the families into rebuilt homes by Christmas, Leslie highlighted the need for the local community to help each other and live up to the Caymankind image at home.
Anyone who can help with the rebuilding projects is asked to contact Leslie via his Facebook page or WhatsApp message via 917-3027.
Burned out house in Bodden Town – inside
Category: Community, Local News
I’m gonna burn my house down because I want a new one. Thanks in advance for all of your help.
Its idiots like you that make it bad for the people that really are hurting.
Do not find that comment funny at all
I have known Matthew for many years and I am proud of where he has gotten. Just a guy from Eastern Avenue who had a rough start but after maturing is someone who now rolls with the big boys. Don’t get me wrong I have heard about his party ways and all I can say is that if his only issue is his Playboy ways then he is better than many that we seen in Parliament. What I do know is also about the tons of people he had quietly helped as well. CNS didn’t he help a family a few years back that lost their home to fire in BT too? He has a soft heart for families in need because others have told about his generosity with helping with food and school supplies. Kudos to you Mr Leslie and hope it sets an example for others to follow.
Great job Matthew keep up the good work
Wow!!!! What about that family with all the small children on bodden road about 2 years ago. I haven’t heard of any help contributed to them. What a shame. Maybe good citizens that can afford to help can also look into their current situation since then. To my knowledge they’re not doing well when it comes to their welfare.
Don’t think he can help everyone. I actually feel sorry for Mr Leslie because I can just imagine the people reaching out to him thinking he is going to solve everyones problems. We need others to now step up and do their parts as well
What did you do to help?
POSITIVE glad to see someone high in society taking the time to help less fortunate! Please make sure the home is built to code. If these insurance companie’s would charge better prices for home insurance we could afford then these incident would be less fortunate. Nontheless I applaud Mister Leslie for his efforts.
good job Matt
What about that guy in East End off Queen’s Highway while you are at it?
Ain’t there an MLA for East End???? Surely with his small population up there he can do something to help his own up there!!!
WOW this is awesome to see us Caymanians together instead of fighting… great news
Keep up the good work and hope to see these people in their homes are Christmas
Is it me or has anyone else noticed that Matthew Leslie is the only politician not elected that has still continued to show his support for the community? Makes you really wake up. Do not worry Mr. Leslie many people are watching you for the next election.
I respectfully disagree, there are elected politicians who are active in the community. They do not publicize it because it is a part of their service to their community. Al Suckoo, for example is someone I know has extended himself and the resources at his disposal to help others. I applaud Matthew Leslie’s efforts and his community spirit, it is infectious as it encourages me to help others out. In regards, the next election, I too await a changing of the guard so to speak but I do believe there are a few currently serving politicians whose efforts should not be forgotten.
I agree with you. What I think this highlights is that the community needs to also step up to the plate just as Mr. Leslie and his business friends have. The politicians can only do so much. I also agree we need to get rid of a few of the politicians next election and keep a few. New blood was needed last election.
That is correct. Mr. Suckoo is always there for us but he is a quiet person and does not make a big announcement of it. I have had to call on him many fimes and he is always willing to help me or if he cannot he will point me in the right direction. Matthew is also someone you can depend on. God bless both of you gentlemen .
Agreed both Al Suckoo and Matthew Leslie are community minded individuals. Glad to see these young men who both seem to have risen to success remember others and where they both came from.