Sir David’s Liberation giveaway

Wednesday 08 August 2018

Property tycoon turned philanthropist, Sir David Kirch, who for many years has given away free food vouchers to the island’s pensioners at Christmas, is making changes to the scheme to help more people who he believed are in real need.

Sir David started the scheme back in 2006 – to mark his 70th birthday. Anyone living in the island who was 70 or older could simply collect the £100 voucher from their parish hall. To keep pace with inflation the value of the vouchers was later increased to £110. So far he estimates his generosity has cost him more than £10m.

Then, in 2012, he announced he would be leaving all of his £100m fortune to charity. In 2013, he appeared at the top of The Sunday Times Giving List. Later that year he was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for “services as a philanthropist to senior citizens of Jersey."

Recently Sir David has expressed fears that those really needing his help aren’t getting it, so now he’s changing how it’ll work. He’s upping the value of the vouchers to £120, and bringing down the age at which people can claim them to 65. They’ll also be issued in November. But, to target the vouchers more efficiently they’ll only be going to islanders claiming certain benefits.

And, Sir David’s announced the same people will also be able to collect a £120 voucher in May to mark Liberation Day. It’s not clear if this is to be just a one off or is to become a regular event.