The name Clifford Learmond has been a household name over decades and is synonymous with T&T theatre, comedy, advertisements and outright laughter.
However, for the past month, this has been reversed, as Learmond fell seriously ill on completing a performance in Tobago, sending the country into a state of shock and panic.
As a result and because of his situation, the theatre fraternity has launched into a spirited and purposeful fund-raising drive, in order to change his current status of ill health and inevitable death back to what it had been before.
The veteran actor, who has been in the business for over 30 years and has worked with some of the industry’s best—such as Raymond Choo-Kong, Richard Ragoobarsingh, Debra Boucaud-Mason, Errol Fabien, Nicki Crosby, Penelope Spencer, Christine Johnson, Randy Glasgow Productions, and Spektakula Promotions to name a few, suffered a heart attack late February.
Upon checks to his vital health, it was realised that along with his heart attack, Learmond was suffering from high blood pressure and clogged arteries.
After doing several tests including an Angiogram (an X-ray of the heart’s blood vessels), Learmond was advised that an immediate bypass surgical procedure, at a cost of $110,000, was needed in order for him to live.
In the meantime several drugs are being administered to him that can/may only last up until his surgery which is due within the next month or two.
“The surgery has to be done soon, else I won’t live for too long,” explained Learmond. “One doctor explained to me that the medication I am taking now, coupled with a special diet, is what is keeping me alive until the surgery.
“In the meantime I still have bills and responsibilities and I haven’t worked since it happened,” he added.
Even though Learmond is unsure of where this funding will come from, he is hopeful that this hurdle is God’s plan and everything will work out.
However, in the interim and in order to have a full, 360 degree turnaround of this situation, the theatre fraternity along with other members of the country are in the process of putting together different events in order to raise funds for his surgery.
Already, Funny Farm Factory Productions and Ha Ha Ha Productions have devoted one night’s part proceeds of their play Ridiculous 6 1/2 to this cause.
Also in the making, there are a series of upcoming fund-raisers by Necessary Arts and 3 Canal, just to name a few, all geared towards Learmond having a full recovery.
At the moment, there is an active discussion between Learmond and the Ministry of Health for part assistance, which also seems positive.
Nonetheless, more is needed and a request is being made for the public’s assistance in garnering monetary support (the amount doesn’t matter) to assist Learmond in his time of need. It will just be unimaginable to lose one of our country’s valuable comedic icons by not rendering help.
More info
For more information contact 334-4787, or donate to #2226912 (First Citizens Bank) on behalf of Learmond.