What happened to Ginger

Sir,
May I, through the medium of your letters column, contact some kind people in Polis Chrysochous, since I have no other way of reaching them.

For many, many months, Mr Thomas Katt, nicknamed “Ginger” by some, for obvious reasons, and “Fool” by others, had been living rough in the centre of Polis. A number of people have been feeding him, including a Scottish lady, English schoolboys on holiday, ladies from one of the estate agents, and Cypriot ladies from one of the tavernas.

The reason that he has not been around lately is that, on Thursday evening, May 3, we finally persuaded him to accept treatment from medical staff in Lemba and Peyia. He was admitted for treatment in a clinic in Lemba, where he was being treated for a severe mouth infection, among other things. In fact, he only had four teeth left, and was not a suitable candidate for false teeth.
It was hoped that he would be able to leave the clinic within about two weeks, after which a place in a proper home had been reserved, where he would be cared for and have companionship.

Unfortunately, on Tuesday, May 8, and totally unforeseen, he developed peritonitis, and died soon afterwards. Would he have died a “better” death living rough? Only he could know – and he couldn’t say. This is a question that some of us will have to learn to live with. All that I know is that I have lost a dear friend, and I miss him.

If he were still alive, I am sure that he would like me to express his grateful thanks to the people who helped him, and the hope that they will feel able to continue to provide food and support for his companions and others in a similar situation to himself.

Christopher Edge
Droushia

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.