We all know Marlon Samuels to be an explosive batsman, who always enjoy punishing the bowlers in the cricket field showing them hardly any mercy. But when it comes to showing support and compassion to the people deprived of proper eyesight, Samuels seems to have taken an entirely different stance.
Recently the 34 year old Jamaican launched a charity foundation aimed at supporting the blind and visually impaired in Jamaica. He is yet to give any name to the charitable trust.
The idea of the foundation apparently came to him after Samuels was partially blinded for two weeks from a ball which hit him on the head during a match in the Australian Big Bash League (BBL) two years ago, reports CMC.
After recovering from a surgery to repair a fractured eye socket, Samuels came with his support for the blind and visually impaired with a donation of $50,000 to the Salvation Army School which helped five students with their examinations.
“This is basically a charity that is in aid of the blind and disabled and what it is going to be doing is rally people from the industry, both sports and corporate Jamaica to just give to the charity. The funds collected will then be handed over to the various entities that will deal with things related to the blind and disabled,” Samuels explained.
Among those attending the launch, at Samuels residence in Jamaica’s south east parish of St. Andrew’s, were West Indies head coach Phil Simmons, former Caribbean pacer Courtney Walsh, current West Indies bowling coach Curtly Ambrose, and limited overs captain Jason Holder.