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The 100-year anniversary of a trust that has quietly supported hundreds of charities since 1924 is being marked with the release of a new book written by one of the island’s leading historians.
Founded in 1924 by a Tyneside shipowner, the Sir James Knott Trust has supported charitable causes in both Jersey and Newcastle for a century.
Pictured: The Sir James Knott Trust supports 500 charities each year, including the Jersey Sports Association.
Born into humble conditions, Sir James rose to become one of the north-east England's wealthiest shipowners by the turn of the 20th century.
After losing two sons in World War I, Sir James moved to Jersey and brought Samarès Manor.
Pictured: Sir James Knott whose philanthropic legacy has been supporting charitable causes in Jersey and Newcastle for 100 years.
He then formed Samarès Investments Limited and passed over his wealth to support charitable causes in Jersey and the North East – including ex-servicemen organisations, orphanages, and schools.
Following his death in 1934, this evolved into the Sir James Knott Trust.
During World War II, the Trust relocated to Newcastle, supporting war-related organisations and evacuating Channel Islanders.
Pictured: The Memorial Church of St James’ and St Basil’s in Fenham was erected by Sir James Knott and consecrated in 1931 to commemorate his two lost sons.
A 1990 restructure resulted in separate trusts for Newcastle and Jersey – though they maintain a close working relationship.
Today, the Trust distributes £3 million annually across 500 charities, including the Salvation Army and the Jersey Blind Society.
The Jersey Trust also helped to create the Jersey Funders Group, a forum for representatives of the main grant-giving charities which helped support many islanders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pictured: The Sir James Knott Memorial Flats being constructed at Tynemouth in the late 1930s
To celebrate the 100-year milestone, a gathering was held on 18 June at Government House, attended by the Lieutenant Governor, His Excellency Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd CBE, along with past and present trustees and charity representatives.
The Trust also commissioned the book 'Deeds Not Words' by Jersey historian Ian Ronayne which tells the story of Sir James’ life and philanthropic legacy.
The Chair of the Trust, Ben Speke, described Sir James as a "wholehearted believer in deeds not words.”
Pictured: A new book by Jersey historian Ian Ronayne tells the Sir James Knott story and that of the philanthropic organisation he founded 100 years ago.
He added that the Trust's work in supporting communities brings him "enormous pride and satisfaction".
The book is priced at £14.99 and is available at WHSmith, Jersey Museum, and Samarès Manor.
Historian Ian Ronayne looks back at the story of the Sir James Knott Trust and the man responsible for its founding in Jersey...
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