Two Barbadians who have been providing free home-cooked meals to a homeless shelter every week for more than a decade, have been rewarded by Queen Elizabeth.

Trevor and Pamela Headley were yesterday named as winners of the 171st Commonwealth Points Of Light award in honour of their exceptional voluntary service.

A release from the British High Commission said the two purchase all of the ingredients to prepare hot meals in their own home, and have continued to deliver the meals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to give support to those living in the Clyde Gollop Night Shelter For Homeless Men. The Commonwealth Points Of Light awards celebrate inspirational acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth. (Nation News 20 Feb 2021)

Great was my pleasure as I scrolled down the Google content on my cell phone to see an article about my dear friend and fellow cadet of the early 1970s, Trevor Headley and his wife, Pamela, and their magnanimous contribution to a subset of Barbadians in dire need of assistance.

The fact that both he and his wife have been providing meals to these persons through the use of their personal time and their own finances is extraordinary and worthy of accolades, but it is not at all surprising to those who know Trevor. Let me state up front that Trevor most likely does not see himself as a hero but is simply doing what is the most natural thing to do – that is help someone in need….be a good Samaritan. First of all, as a cadet at Combermere under the guidance of the then Lieutenant Deighton Maynard, he would have learnt valuable lessons about self-sacrifice, leadership and service to the community. As a devout Christian, he is more than aware of the need to share with the less fortunate and he and his wife lead by example.

Trevor Headley is well-known for the role as a very reliable bugler in the corps of drums of no. 3 company in the 1970s. Along with his companions, they provided an exciting range of music for route marches that took the pain out of the long marches and had cadets ‘dancing’ along the streets late in the night en route back to Combermere School.

He attained the rank of Company Quarter Master Sergeant in 1973 and was a member of the 64 strong Combermere contingent to attend camp at Londonderry, in Dominica in 1974. It was around this period that he became a devout Christian. His commitment was noted in the fact that he listened to Radio Paradise – a radio with religious programming – which laying among us on the “Federal Maple” ship as the waves rocked the boat gently and at times violently. From Barbados to St Lucia and then on to Dominica, he listened to the mentioned station on his small car radio with a built-in-battery. He was at the time very interested in electronics which eventually was part of the ingredients in his future career.

I hope that his example will motivate others to step up to the plate and be involved in any efforts which will improve the quality of life of the vulnerable in society or, better yet, initiate activities to support them. Well done Trevor and Pamela!

Well done Combermere School!

Well done No 3 Company!