Winston Davis - Crippled Former Cricketer Believes In Miracles (16 Apr 1998)

16 April 1998

Crippled Former Cricketer Believes In Miracles

The Nation

Former West Indies fast bowler Winston Davis has gone to England to begin his rehabilitation.

Davis, who was injured in a freak accident in November last year, which left him completely immobile has regained some movement from his shoulders upward.

Chairman of the Winston Davis Medical Appeal Fund, Boston Davis, explained that Winston was now able to sit upright for about five hours at a time.

"If you put something in his hand he can feed himself, but he can't pick it up," Davis explained.

Winston, who broke his neck in two places after falling from a tree, left St. Vincent for England on April 6 following the two Cable and Wireless One-Day Internationals at Arnos Vale where the last major fundraising exercise was conducted.

On the Saturday the Boston Cricket League donated US$2 000 and during Sunday's match Sales Representative Ð Exports of Berger Paints (Barbados) Limited, Edward Toppin presented a cheque for EC$1 500 on behalf of the company. A collection at the ground also raised EC$5 000.

Davis said too, over US$3 492 was raised at the Test match in Barbados.

However, he noted that donations to the appeal were slow at this time.

He said while they did not have a target figure, the bill for the five months spent at the St. Mary's trauma centre in West Palm Beach, Florida, stood at US$464 603.50 and this did not include the surgical costs.

The next appeal event Boston said would be a raffle of two bats, donated by the National Commercial Bank, with the signatures of the English and West Indian teams.

Davis said the spirits of the former West Indies player as he left for England were high.

"His faith is something else. Winston has this belief that God is going to do something miraculous for him," Davis said.

"He still needs our prayers and financial support."

Davis added Winston was very appreciative of the support shown by the West Indies Cricket Board and the players. The WICB contributed US$10 000 and the players spearheaded, by Roland Holder, US$5 000.

Source :: The Barbados Nation (https://www.nationnews.com/)