By Alicia Barrett – Star Writer—

Constable Akeem Johnson (left) gives Jerome White money to buy sneakers after he finished 3k race while wearing flip-flops.—

On June 15, Jerome White stunned everyone in his community when he placed second in a 3k race in Stony Hill, St Andrew, while wearing flip-flops. Three policemen brought further joy to the youngster’s face when they bought him a pair of sneakers.

White, 14, participated in the event that was put on by the Brooks Level Citizens’ Association Benevolent Society. It was the fourth staging, and it was being held to raise funds to help persons in the community.

According to Mehalia Creed, the vice-president of the association, White arrived on the race morning without the proper running gear and insisted that he was going to do well.

“He came the morning, and I asked him how is he going to run in slippers, and he said that I should sign him up,” she said, laughing.

As predicted, White did well, and his feat did not go unnoticed.

Inspector Linval Harrison, who is attached to the Stony Hill Police Station, said that he saw White running in his flip-flops and decided that he needed to help out. He said that he and two other constables decided that they were going to assist White.

“After the race start, we were at the back because there were some elderly persons there. But by time we came off the hill, we noticed that he was running in flip-flops, and we were impressed by him. On conclusion of the meet, I called him over and asked him if he had sneakers, and he said no. I asked what school he went to and he told me. The thought (to purchase sneakers) crossed my mind, and I said to a constable who was there with me that we need to buy him sneakers, and they said OK,” Harrison said.

SNEAKERS BOUGHT

He said that they presented White with the money after the race. A few days later, he said that a member of the association sent him a picture of the sneakers that was bought.

”It was very heart-rending to know that we were out there, and we could do something for him. Because of the determination and the effort that he displayed, I believe that he can go places,” Harrison said.

White’s mother, Shyanna Lumsden, said that her son was very excited when he received the funds for the sneakers because he has always been interested in track and field and football.

“After he got the money, he called me and said: ‘Mommy, buy the sneakers for me now’,” she said.

“Him carry it go school and go show him friends. Him just excited about it. It just sad that him school nuh really big in track and field because I know that he would be good at it.”