Andre Jebbinson, Staff Reporter

Stanley Beckford. - File

Thelma Beckford, widow of the late multiple Festival Song Competition winner Stanley Beckford, is disappointed with the lack of support she is getting from the music fraternity.

The Sunday Gleaner spoke with a bewildered Mrs. Beckford on Thursday as she made funeral preparations. With a seemingly hoarse voice and broken spirit, she said the set-up for her husband is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, at the Riversdale Community Centre , St. Catherine, and the funeral will be held the following day at the Dinthill Technical High School auditorium.

Setting a date

But setting a date is the easy part; she has no idea how she will pay the $280,000 to the Robert's Funeral Home, which is providing the funeral services.

"We still have nothing else concrete to say banana tree or coconut tree. I am not feeling happy about what is going on at all," Mrs. Beckford said.

She said Stanley was a beloved man in Jamaica and deserves a lot better. "I would like to make even an appeal to the Prime Minister to help. I tried to reach her, but I haven't been able to. Anybody, high or low, please help in any way you can," she pleaded.

Already Fab 5 and past festival song winners, such as Eric Donaldson and the Astronauts, have showed willingness to be included on the programme, but that's where it stops.

Donaldson expressed sadness on the passing of someone he considered a friend. He travelled with Stanley on tours, but said he was not aware of his illness. Donaldson told The Sunday Gleaner he will be offering his assistance to the family.

Help

"I show dem seh I will participate in the funeral. I spoke with her (Thelma), but she didn't mention how much money. I am going to see what little I can do to help," Donaldson said.

News of Stanley's illness late last year was met with much sympathy. The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) subsequently held a concert to assist the family with medical expenses. Stanley Beckford died two weeks ago.

Delroy Gordon, director of field services at the JCDC, said the organisation is willing to do what it can to help with the funeral arrangements.

"We have to be guided by what they (the family) are doing. We have been dialoguing with them," Morgan said.

As for the set-up, Mrs. Beckford said she simply wants to honour her late husband in a fitting manner. "I want his friends to rally around him, that's all. I am not asking for a bashment set-up," she said.