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The Channel Islands Co-operative Society is donating more than £18,000 to charities, schools and churches in Guernsey and Jersey this year through its Helping Hands fund.
More than 30 organisations have been chosen to receive a share of the fund, which was set up in 1995 to provide financial support to good causes in the Channel Islands. During its 21-year history, the fund has provided around £250,000 to help charities, schools, churches and other groups in Jersey and Guernsey.
This year, £18,100 was split between 31 charities – 16 in Jersey receiving £9,730 and 15 in Guernsey, which were given a total of £8,370.
Greg Yeoman, the Society’s chief marketing officer said: "It’s always very difficult to choose where the money should go as there are so many good causes in the islands. But as a local community retailer we look at each individual application and try to ensure that the money will be used to the maximum benefit of the communities we serve."
Among this year’s recipients in Guernsey are the GSPCA, which received £1,000 to go towards the renovation of animals’ rooms, while the Guernsey Voluntary Service was given £500 for a new fridge for volunteers. A donation of £500 to Age Concern Guernsey will pay for fuel vouchers to run the buses that take elderly people to community events, and Home-Start Guernsey received a £500 boost to help run its “Dragonflies” drop-in sessions, sponsored by the Sarah Groves Foundation, which are open to all parents offering them friendship and support.
Hayley Jenner-Arnold, Home-Start Guernsey coordinator said: "We are privileged to have been chosen as one of the recipients of the Helping Hands fund. Without donations like this it would be difficult to provide help and support to our families. The Dragonflies drop in group offers invaluable practical and emotional support to parents and always lends a non-judgmental ear to any parent that may be having a difficult time."
In Jersey, Homemaker vouchers worth £500 have gone to Jersey MS Therapy Support to buy a TV and Wii console with balance board to help improve the co-ordination of people with multiple sclerosis, while a £700 donation to Epilepsy Jersey will pay for 15 anti-suffocation pillows.
The Masonic Lodge received £500 to buy TLC teddy bears for children in the Robin Ward at Jersey General Hospital, and Jersey Primary Schools received £400 to go towards buying a home kit for Jersey Primary Schools FA.
The squad has reached the ESFA national finals to be played at Leicester City’s King Power stadium on Sunday 22 May. The Society’s donation will go towards kit.
Mark Oliver, Jersey Primary Schools coach said: "We are very grateful to The Channel Islands Co-operative Society for its contribution. Donations are essential to the Jersey Primary Schools FA as we receive no funding for kit, or for the children who represent Jersey at national competitive events and on tour to professional academies in the UK.
"Donations such as this alleviate some of the pressure on coaches, who give up hours of their own time for free to develop the stars of the future and often go on to represent Jersey throughout their football career. We need every bit of support we can get, as we have had three off-island trips this year due to our success at the regionals at Odd Down."
