Awards 2011
The first ever Jersey Charity Awards was held on Sunday afternoon, 4th September, and has been hailed a huge success. The setting of Radier Manor, Grouville in a beautiful marquee, was perfect for the event. The afternoon tea served just before the ceremony was excellent and everyone was entertained by the Parklife Choir who stole the show with some very moving renditions of popular songs. The Lions Club of Jersey then surprised everyone with a presentation of their ‘Citizenship Award' to Roger Bara, the musical director of the Parklife Choir, for all the work he has done with them, and the difference it has made to so many.
(Pictured here: Advocate Chris Renouf deputy Chair AJC, Dorothy Patterson, Howard Walker & Paul Patterson MBE with Fisher of Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled. Kim Averty & Jim Hollywood of Jersey Alzheimer's Association. The Bailiff Mr Michael Birt. Geoff Cook of Jersey Finance. Alastair Torvaney of Driving for the Disabled.)
There are photographs of the event here on the website gallery and follow this link for more pictures.
The Awards, supported by the Association of Jersey Charities (AJC) are to highlight local excellence within the charitable sector thus raising the profile of charity and voluntary activity in Jersey. There were three Awards categories; small charity of the year (less than 15 staff/volunteers), medium charity of the year (between 16 to 35 staff/volunteers) and large charity of the year (more than 36 staff/volunteers).
All applicants had to submit a written entry describing their achievements over the past twelve months and the winning charities were narrowed down from a shortlist of five to a top three before an overall winner was selected. The Bailiff and Geoff Cook, Chief Executive of Jersey Finance, awarded each of the winners with an engraved glass plaque and a cheque for £5,000.
Driving for the Disabled was announced as the Small Charity of the Year, having been shortlisted alongside Families in Recovery (Silkworth Lodge) and Le Squez Youth Club. Jersey Alzheimer's Association was awarded Medium Charity of the Year with Prison! Me! No Way!!! Jersey and Brighter Futures the second and third runners up. The Large Charity of the Year Award was given to Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled (JSAD) who stood out from the final top three which included Jersey Women's Refuge and Street Pastors, Jersey.
The overall winners were selected from the 45 entries by a panel of judges comprising States of Jersey Senator, Francis Le Gresley; Principle Aide-de Camp to Jersey's Lieutenant-Governor, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Woodrow; Arclight Solutions Ltd Senior Consultant (Consultancy and Training services for charities), Jane Galloway and Chairman of the AJC, Liz Le Poidevin.
Approximately 150 representatives from all the charities who made a submission attended the ceremony which included afternoon tea and entertainment provided by the Parklife Choir.
The Association of Jersey Charities is working in partnership with the 50 years of financial heritage celebrations for this event. As part of this alliance, the proceeds from the Golden Gala community charity ball, which is being held next week to mark the anniversary, will be donated to local charities through the Association and the Jersey Charity Awards 2011.