No stroke of luck for award-winning teenager

Sunday 24 January 2016

A teenager who has swum miles for charity has won a new award.

Charlotte Vernon, Grainville School’s head girl, has won the Sir George Carteret Award for demonstrating loyalty, endeavour and a tireless determination to her cause – the same qualities as the award’s namesake and the most celebrated Jerseyman in the Island’s history.

The 16-year-old, who last year was one of the youngest to have completed a solo round Island swim, has helped raise thousands for MS Jersey and Holiday for Heroes.

Out of the water, Charlotte dedicates her time to volunteering as a member of a peer support group at school, helping autistic students gain access to mainstream schooling.

The award is the brainchild of St Peter Constable John Refault who wanted to acknowledge a young person living in the Island who had given their time to a well-meaning project selflessly and consistently and regardless of any personal reward - showing a determination to succeed that’s beyond the norm.

Constable Refault said:  “The efforts of this young individual go above and beyond the usual achievements of pupils her age.  She has a particular ingenuity of combining her dedication to helping others with her passion for swimming which is exemplary and perfectly represents the character traits that this award was searching for.  I applaud Charlotte in her endeavours and I wish her the best in her future goals and challenges.”

JTC’s Group CEO and Chairman Nigel Le Quesne said: “This award is a first class initiative which recognises a young individual for their hard work and unheralded dedication to a cause and JTC is delighted to support it. Charlotte is undoubtedly a worthy recipient as is evident from the range of fundraising activity she has undertaken and her tireless efforts in seeking to help others.”

Charlotte, who's won £1,000, half of which she can give to a charity of her choice, now has her goggles set on swimming the English Channel.