Barclays duck ‘hooks’ over £13,000 for Mind Jersey at the Boat Show

Tuesday 31 May 2016

£13,477 has been raised for Mind Jersey by visitors to the 2016 Barclays Jersey Boat Show. This sum includes matched funding from Barclays.

Most of the money was raised at the ‘Hook a Duck’ game at the Barclays stand, which this year featured a ‘rainbow’ duck created by ten-year-old Holly Freitas who won last year’s design a duck competition.

Mind Jersey is an independent local charity that provides support to people living with a mental illness. Mind Jersey’s vision is to create a society that promotes and protects good mental health for all, and that treats people with experience of mental illness fairly, positively and with respect.

The charity was chosen as the beneficiary of the Show to help raise awareness of the importance of maintaining good mental health in the community and workplace. 

£17,577 was raised overall making this the highest sum collected at the Show since Barclays’ sponsorship began. The remainder of monies will go to the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Charity.

The Barclays Jersey Boat Show took place in and around St Helier Marina over the bank holiday weekend of 29 April to 2 May.

Over 35,000 people attended the Boat Show, enjoying perfect weather conditions and busy programme of events. In the Barclays tent visitors were able to find out more about the Bank’s Life Skills, Accessibility, Digital Eagles and Code Playground initiatives which aim to improve people’s employment and digital skills.

Director James Le Feuvre said: “We are thrilled with how the weekend went with plenty of interest in our information stand. We also had great support for the 24 hour rowing challenge and had lots of visitors having a go on the pitch and putt, courtesy of Les Mielles Golf and Country club.

“We are very appreciative to be this year’s Boat Show beneficiary and to receive these funds. The monies raised will be used to extend our campaign to tackle stigma, especially in relation to young people experiencing mental health problems.”

Paul Savery, Managing Director of Barclays in Jersey said: “Once again the Boat Show was fantastic and enjoyed by all. Credit must go to the organizers, the Royal Navy for their outstanding support and also to everyone who attended for making it such a special event. It is especially pleasing to have raised such a great sum for Mind Jersey and assist them with raising the awareness of their work.

“We are also pleased with the interest we received in our community initiatives such as Life Skills, Accessibility and Code Playground and to be able to meet so many islanders and talk to them about improving their digital skills.”