A LOCAL charity celebrated its 40th anniversary yesterday and was joined by the first winner of Big Brother on his first visit to the Island.
Les Amis, which provides services to help Islanders who have learning difficulties, celebrated its birthday yesterday with Craig Phillips, who is a patron of the Down’s Syndrome Association.
Following on from Down’s Awareness Week, Les Amis is celebrating its 40 anniversary with a number of events including:
- Les Amis Mastercook at Highlands College Academy of Food and Culinary Arts with Michelin Star chef Mark Jordan and Highlands Head of Catering Eileen-Buike Kelly.
- Performance at Jersey Arts Centre by the award-winning Blue Apple Theatre Company of Much Ado About Nothing on 18 May. All the actors have learning difficulties.
- Downton Charity Ball at Samarès Manor on Saturday 18 July with champagne in the rose garden, entertainment and a fundraising auction and raffle.
- BBQ.
- Sponsored walk.
- Christmas Carol service.
The charity held an open day at its newest home in Trinity, which was opened officially by the Lieutenant-Governor, General Sir John McColl, and Lady McColl.
Mr Phillips, who arrived in the Island on Monday, has worked closely with a number of charities in Britain and has raised money for them by running marathons and taking part in other sports events.
‘Les Amis has a fantastic set-up and establishment. It has got everything and the staff are just wonderful with the residents, and so patient. It is one of the best facilities I have ever seen,’ he said.
Four residents, who are all friends, will be moving into La Mabonnerie at Mourant Lodge at the end of the month.
The four-bedroom house, which has recently been converted into a home by the charity, will allow the residents to live independently while still receiving support from the organisation.
Shaun Findlay, managing director of Les Amis, said: ‘Society’s attitude towards people with learning difficulties has been radically transformed over the past 40 years from living separately in institutions to leading as normal life as possible – holding down jobs and living independently in ordinary flats and houses – supported by us, as equal members of our community.’
The charity, which opened at Five Oaks in 1975, works closely with Islanders who have learning difficulties, including Down’s Syndrome and autism and other associated conditions.
Originally known as Maison Variety, it now supports 80 Islanders in 30 houses and flats around the Island so they can live independent lives as part of the Island community.
Lesley Bratch, whose daughter Natasha will be moving into the home, said: ‘I am excited for Tash because it is what she wants. I am really looking forward to seeing her move on and for me to begin a new adventure in my life too.’
- The 41-year-old Liverpudlian secured a bricklaying apprenticeship when he was 18 and went on to run a successful construction business throughout the 1990s, employing 30 tradesmen and operating with an annual turnover of more than £1 million.
- In the summer of 2000, Craig beat 45,000 applicants to appear alongside nine other contestants on Britain’s first reality TV show, Big Brother.
- Watched by over 10 million people, Big Brother was a huge success fascinating both the public and the media – and after more than nine weeks in the Big Brother house, Craig won the series with 3.7 million votes, £70,000 prize money and a National Television Award for Best Live Television Moment of the Year.
- Craig famously donated his entire winnings to childhood friend and down’s syndrome sufferer Joanne Harris. Within six days of leaving the show, he had raised £250,000 to pay for her life-saving heart and lung transplant.
- He went on to combine his knowledge of construction and media savvy to forge a career as one of the UK’s leading DIY and home improvement experts. He has since presented and produced over 850 DIY and home improvement shows for major broadcasters including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, Sky One, UKTV Style and Discovery Realtime, which have been broadcast throughout Europe and as far as Korea, New Zealand and the USA.
- He made his stage debut in 2002, playing Buttons in pantomime production Cinderella and has since appeared in many more pantomimes.
- In 2012, Jerseys Lauren Carré became the first Channel Islander to take part in the reality television show Big Brother
- The former Hautlieu and Les Quennevais student was 20 when she entered the house.
- She grew up on a St Ouen farm with her parents, Paul and Christine, and has represented the Island at karate and gymnastics, winning medals at an event in Holland in 2006. She has also competed at Island Games level. She was also an open heat winner in the 2010 Miss Battle competition.
- At the start of the series she was the bookmakers second- favourite to win, however she was evicted in week seven.
- After her eviction she appeared in a photoshoot for Nuts magazine.
- She now lives back in Jersey and works at Les Amis, where she had the chance to meet Craig Phillips for the first time yesterday (below)
