Nautilus Trust bake sale raises almost £1,500 for Holidays for Heroes Jersey

Friday 01 August 2014

Nautilus Trust has raised almost £1,500 for Holidays for Heroes Jersey, in addition to more than £40,000 donated by one of its charitable foundations.

After its client, through a Jersey foundation, pledged the largest ever single donation to the charity, Nautilus Trust staff decided they wanted to do something to raise further funds and so organised a bake sale at the Weighbridge.

"We were absolutely thrilled with the success of the event, which was supported by many of our members of staff who either baked cakes or went along and bought them," said Jan Kenny, director, Nautilus Trust.

"We were inundated with cakes and sandwiches, not only provided by staff and local firms, but by invitees, such as Investec Bank, who wanted to boost the fundraising in any way possible. We were constantly busy for the three hours, aided by the beautiful weather, and we then visited companies along the Esplanade to sell the few cakes we had left over."

The foundation’s donation was used to cover the cost of a week in the island for 27 injured Royal Marines, who attended the bake sale with some of their families, as well as the visit a few days later of 32 service personnel from other HM Forces and their families.

"We are incredibly touched by the efforts of Nautilus Trust and its clients. The visiting Royal Marines and other service personnel had a wonderful week in the island with their families. We want to thank everyone involved in making this happen," said Dawn Woodhouse MBE, who founded Holidays for Heroes Jersey with her husband Richard.

"To these members and past members of HM Forces who have been injured, in mind or body during, or as a result of their service, a holiday to Jersey means so much. Their presence at the bake sale meant that Nautilus Trust staff were able to talk to them and understand a little bit more about the impact of their injuries and the benefits of their visit to Jersey and some have now volunteered to help Holidays for Heroes Jersey, which is fantastic."

Each year, Jersey companies, organisations and individuals make donations to enable more injured personnel and their families to be brought to the island for a much-needed break.

From just nine in 2008, this year will see 395 holidaying in Jersey; since its inception the charity has now provided holidays to more than 1,800 individuals.

As well as staff from Nautilus Trust being involved in the bake sale, they received help and donations of cakes and sandwiches from the Royal Yacht, Bruno’s Bakery, CoCoRico, The Club Hotel, Medina Catering, The Blue Ocean and Café Firefly at Durrell.