Minerva raises £10,000 for two local charities

Wednesday 06 July 2016

As part of Minerva’s Legacy Project, the company chose to support two charities for its 2015/2016 fund raising efforts and this year’s proceeds will be split between Friends of Jersey Oncology (FOJO) and Jersken Little Angel’s Home - a charity recently set up to support orphans in Kenya.

Launched in 2013 in celebration of the milestone birthdays of Minerva’s two founding shareholders, Vipin M.P. Shah and Umesh Sahai, the Minerva Legacy Project aims to create a long term and sustainable impact on the communities that continue to be close to Minerva Group’s operations. Since starting the Legacy Project, Minerva, a trust and corporate services company, have supported a number of local and overseas charities by raising £36,000.

The money raised this year, £10,000, will be split between both charities and will give them the opportunity to invest in specific projects.  

FOJO has already been able to provide vouchers to patients who are about to embark on chemotherapy treatment. The initiative known as ‘Treat into Treatment’ was set up earlier this year and with Minerva’s support the Oncology Unit has been able to offer these vouchers. Gifts included manicures, meal vouchers and spa vouchers.   

The Jersey Oncology Unit coordinates the care of patients with all forms of cancers and FOJO was set up to help raise funds for the purchase of non-States provided equipment and services to the Oncology Unit. 

Katie Herridge,who manages the charity, said: “We are extremely grateful to Minerva for their support in our 'Putting the Treat into Treatment' program. The vouchers have been a wonderful addition to what we have been able to offer patients and have proved to be an extremely welcome pick-me-up to patients as they progress through their chemotherapy treatment."

Jersken Little Angels Home is a charity based in Jersey and Kenya which supports needy children by providing a home, family care and education through their orphanage on the outskirts of Nairobi. Minerva’s support has enabled Jersken to press ahead with vital work to extend the first floor of the orphanage so it can accommodate a kitchen, dining/common room, play room and bedrooms so as to really improve the living environment for children in Jersken’s care. 

Lucy Falle, Jersken’s Founder and Deputy Chairperson, said: “We are very grateful to Minerva and Minerva staff for all their support, going beyond just this generous donation, as working with Minerva has allowed us to draw on their moral and intellectual guidance. We are also grateful for Minerva introducing us to a charitable Foundation they are associated with, and from whom we have also gained support.”

In order to raise the money needed to support both charities Minerva held a number of fundraising campaigns over a 12 month period. These included an auction, Christmas raffle, regular fancy dress down days, bake offs, a soup kitchen, staff breakfasts and a ping pong challenge.

Steven Bowen, Group Managing Director of Minerva Trust and Corporate Services Limited said: “We are delighted to have supported both Friends of Jersey Oncology and Jersken. Our Legacy Project fundraising campaign is something we are very proud of as it has given our staff and the business the opportunity to raise money required for specific initiatives and support those that that are in need. It is also something that is intrinsic to Minerva’s values.”