Sporting Clays tournament raises $1m for teen’s eye surgery

SEAN CLACKEN joined forces with The Jamaica Skeet Club and its members, along with generous sponsors, to stage a very successful Charity Sporting Clays Tournament that raised $1 million for Tashana Easy, who needed urgent eye surgery to restore her rapidly deteriorating vision.

The charity tournament, which was held recently at the Jamaica Skeet Club’s base in Portmore, St Catherine, was supported by many of the island’s top gunners. All the proceeds from the tournament will go towards the 18-year-old’s $2.8-million bill for a corneal transplant and its attendant follow-up care.

“This was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a community comes together,” said Clacken.

“We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, the participants, and to all those who gave donations to make this event a success.”

“The total cost of the surgery and treatment is $2,800,000 and all proceeds raised will go directly towards this.”

Clacken further indicated that the full amount needed to cover the total bill has now been realised and that surgery will be conducted soon.

Easy, who is currently studying hospitality at the HEART/NSTA Trust, has been suffering blurred and limited vision and requires a corneal transplant.

The main sponsors who supported the cause included Geddes Refrigeration, Hawkeye Security, Dr Glass Limited, Imperial Optical, and the Jamaica Skeet Club. Several of the other sponsors who contributed generously to the cause were Loshusan Group, Amzoil, Proforma Marketing, Matt’s Cycle Rack, and Sagicor Bank.

Former national shotgun champion Chad Ziadie topped the tournament after picking off 89 out of a possible 100 birds, while runner-up Bruce DuQuesnay was just one shot behind on 88.

The A Class shooters battled for top honours, with Ryan Chen winning the class by way of ‘long run’ after shooting 86, the same as second-placed Bobby Chung. Former Jamaica Skeet Club President and nine-time national shotgun champion Ian Banks grabbed third place with a score of 85.

Winston Quest, 82, was the B Class winner, while Stephen McConnell popped 85 birds for first place in C Class. Max Williams’ 81 was good enough to win D Class. Denzil Dixon, 71, was first in E Class. Sheldon Carter, 63, was the Hunters or Beginners Class winner. Alyssa Moo Young, 50, topped the Ladies Class, while David Wong, 84, was first among juniors, and Blake Cooper, 67, was the Sub-Junior’s winner.