'Potty' eco-champion crowned Inspirational Woman of the Year

Saturday 16 October 2021

A local recycling champion, who has helped save more than 40,000 plastic plant pots from the incinerator, has been crowned Jersey's 'Inspirational Woman of the Year'.

Louise Carson was chosen for the award, following her efforts as a member of several recycling and environmental schemes across the island.

The award was launched by Jersey Women’s Refuge in March 2021 to acknowledge International Women’s Day, in partnership with Soroptimist International Jersey.

Pictured: Louise said she was "humbled" to receive the award. 

The team received nearly 50 nominations for women in Jersey, who met the criteria of being someone who:

• has made a selfless contribution;
• has made a significant difference to an individual or group;
• has succeeded against the odds;
• is an inspiration to others;
• has shown self-sacrifice, unwavering dedication and generosity of spirit;
• has led others to achieve greatness in their own right;
• and is a positive role model for generations to follow.

Winner Louise has been an active member of the ‘Journey to Zero Waste’ Facebook group, giving advice on reducing waste. 

She also runs the Philips Footprints recycling scheme, and recently set up the ‘Potty Eco Pots’ scheme, which has saved tens of thousands of plastic plant pots from the incinerator.

In addition, she supports the ‘Just One Tree’ campaign encouraging fundraising and tree planting in schools, and has arranged for the distribution of eco-friendly period packs.

Pictured: Louise set up the 'Potty Eco Pot' scheme last year to ensure less pots went to waste on the island.

This year’s runner-up was member, former trustee and latterly Boutique Manager for Autism Jersey, Karen Gallichan.

Over the years, Karen has participated in a number of efforts to help autistic people and their families in Jersey.

This included swimming the English Channel to raise £13K to fund a bursary that could be awarded to young adults with autism to help them fulfil their potential, which she named ‘Channel your Dreams.' 

Pictured: Runner-up Karen Gallichan swam the English Channel in 2019, raising £13k towards a bursary for young adults with autism.

In third place was Lorna Pirozzolo, founder of Cancer.je, an online directory of support for cancer patients and co-founder of Jersey Recovery College.

On her award, winner Louise Carson said: "This award is for everyone who does all of the activities needed to run so many projects. We have about 27 volunteers who keep the wheels on all of the projects and my colleagues David Carson, Viki Lucas, Kalina Le Marquand and Louise Bamber are all pillars of strength driving things.

"I'm so proud to play my small part in Recycle for Philip's Footprints, Potty Eco Pots, Half Wild Jersey, Jersey Sustainable Period Products Project, Journey to Zero Waste Jersey and to be of help to Compassion isn't Ltd in collecting sleeping bags and warm blankets for them to take to Calais for Refugees."

Pictured: Lorna Pirozollo, who established cancer directory, cancer.je, was the third runner-up for the award.

Louise continued: "I can't thank the Woman's Refugee and Soroptimists enough.

"If anyone wants to know more about any of the projects, Potty Eco Pots is holding an event at Acorn charity shop on Saturday 23rd October.

"I was humbled to have been nominated by my friend Helen Morgan. I was amazed to be shortlisted to the last 3 women when 49 amazing women were nominated and now I'm speechless at having won.

"Having a winner dedicated to Eco conscious projects is a massive step in my eyes and I am so admiring of the judges who must have had a very difficult job.

"Congratulations to my fellow nominees who also made a huge difference in our community for Cancer and Autism Charities. They do amazing work."

Manager of Jersey Women’s Refuge, Marine Oliveira, said: “We were delighted to receive nearly 50 nominations this year of women who all make a selfless contribution to Island life.”

“We celebrate each and every one of them.”

Jean-Marie Gavey, Joint President, Soroptimist International Jersey said: “Once again we were humbled by the calibre of entries making the judging very difficult. Soroptimists International Jersey founded this award in 1998, originally it was called ‘Woman in the Community Award.’” 

“We are thrilled to see the award go from strength to strength over the years honouring those who serve our island.”