The Gobat family rewards St. Lucian Youth

Last Saturday Cap Maison was host venue to the Oliver “Ollie” Gobat award ceremony of the Gobat Fund, launched last November. Ollie Gobat, who was Saint Lucian-born and an avid sportsman, was murdered two years ago and the matter is still unsolved. His parents, who have been on-island for 43 years, felt it appropriate, despite the tragedy, to ‘give back to the youth of St Lucia’.

“We have been supporting the sporting associations and have provided coaching and equipment. He will live on in people’s memory as a very fine example of a sportsman himself and an upright young man,” Helen Gobat told the STAR. “We are just looking to support as many people as possible, and it has so far been successful, having backed the youth sailing programme, paying for a coach for four months. And we have five cricketers going off to a tournament in the northern Caribbean in the summer.”

The STAR was also informed that young tennis star Meghan Williams will be travelling to Martinique for an ITF tennis tournament.

The Gobat Fund recently hosted a special event: “We had a spectacular day at the St. Lucia Golf Club on 19th March and raised EC$37,000 in one day,” said Helen Gobat. Including monies raised from a golf tournament in England, the fund has so far distributed EC$48,600 with monies shared among hundreds of children, rather than to one recipient.

When asked about the success of the fund website, Helen Gobat expressed her satisfaction with its efficiency. “The website is voluntary and we do get persons contacting us through it and also via e-mail and the telephone.”

On a more sombre note the Gobats also spoke about the progress of the murder investigation. Ollie Gobat’s father, Theo Gobat shared that ‘very, very little has been done’.

Added Helen: “I think there is forensic work ongoing which is almost complete; that is about all we can say really. I am very disappointed with the progress within two years. One would have hoped that things would have developed, but they haven’t.”

“Ollie was a wonderful sportsman; he played squash and tennis. He was a very proud sportsman born in Vieux Fort, had a huge passion for the country, so I think to remember his name now and by providing help to sportsmen and women, is the most appropriate thing to do to keep his memory alive,” declared Theo Gobat.