[breakout align=”right”]
Tomorrow: Meet the Environmentalist of the Year finalists
[/breakout]
This award recognises an individual or organisation who puts Jersey on the global map, which in turn may attract visitors, businesses and even investors to our Island.
These ambassadors, travelling, working or volunteering abroad, often go unnoticed in daily Island life but play a vital role, directly and indirectly, in spreading the word about Jersey.
The impression they give to others around the world reflects well on our Island and encourages others to learn more about the place that we call home.
Meet the three finalists:
Roger Nightingale
Parish: St Peter
Nominated by: Penelope Bromley
[figure caption=”Rugby Academy chairman Roger Nightingale: I am very humbled and grateful. I am honoured” title=”10429446″ align=”none” id=”1526213″ size=”100″]
NOMINEE: Roger Nightingale
What would it mean to you to win a Pride of Jersey award?
I would be shocked. I have not had a chance to look at many of the other entrants yet, but I am sure there are other people who do a lot more than I do.
I think it would be more about people that support the club rather than just myself.
What does it mean to you to have been nominated for a Pride of Jersey award and to have received the backing of the public to reach the final three?
I am very humbled and grateful. I am honoured.
NOMINATOR: Penelope Bromley
What was it about Roger that made you want to nominate him for a Pride of Jersey award?
He dedicates as much of his time as he can to the club.
When he became chairman three years ago, he identified areas that he wanted to sort out.
For example, we now have proper first aiders and he spent his whole summer sorting out portable generators to power lights which will allow children to play and train in the evenings during the winter months.
What makes Roger different from the others in this category or already doing similar work elsewhere?
I think he has helped children grow social skills and respect.
Whenever they see him, inside and outside of the club, they will always approach him, say hello and shake his hand.
It has happened on so many occasions, on the beach and in town.
He is around 6 ft, a former rugby player and is quite a big character but children are still happy to approach him.
‘He is very gentle and caring.
I have even seen 18- and 20-year-olds approach him, people do not forget him.
Why should Jersey as a whole feel proud to have the Roger representing them across the community and around the world?
He is also very passionate about bringing teams to Jersey from off the Island. It is worth mentioning that he has been liaising with quite a few teams from Brittany.
Travel is quite a big expense for us and Roger has worked hard to negotiate deals with a number of airlines.
He has even driven a number of players up to clubs in Brittany to take part in games and tournaments there.
Can you give an example of how the person(s) you have nominated may have inspired others?
He is so keen for young people to take an interest in and be passionate about sport.
‘Often, Roger will deliver speeches at medal ceremonies which inspire the children.
He will never put a youngster down.
He is very good at dealing with behaviour. I think he inherited that from working as a former prison officer.
If someone was misbehaving, he would not just make them leave, he will talk to them and try to rectify any issues.
The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission
Nominated by: Deputy Carolyn Labey
[figure caption=”The Jersey Overseas Aid Kenya team practise digging trenches” title=”05FE3115″ align=”none” id=”1526215″ size=”100″]
NOMINATOR: Deputy Carolyn Labey
What was it about the people you have nominated that made you want to nominate them for a Pride of Jersey award?
Dick Richomme, Brian Stuttard and Alan Cameron have all been members of Jersey Overseas Aid Commission Logistics Team for a number of years and all actively involved in our Community Work Projects as team members and leaders.
They have given hours of their time to organise projects as well as encourage and train others to take part.
Every other volunteer who has been on an Overseas Aid trip has also given up a huge amount of their time to attend training sessions, as well as organising fundraising events, before taking 3 to 4 weeks out of their lives to travel overseas.
What makes the people you have nominated different from the others in this category or already doing similar work elsewhere?
The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission is changing the lives of Jersey people taking part in a project.
I think it makes them, and those around them, aware of how those in the third world live.
It also gives the volunteers a sometimes life-changing experience, as well as providing for the communities with a much-needed resource.
Why should Jersey as a whole feel proud to have the people you have nominated doing the work they do for their community?
Since 1974, teams of volunteers have been visiting some of the worlds poorest communities with the aim of providing much-needed facilities such as classrooms, medical clinics, clean water and sanitation.
The lives of thousands of people have been improved by providing the opportunities for education, health care, and access to clean water and sanitation.
The volunteers are all ambassadors for Jersey and will talk about the Island while overseas while showing the communities the generosity and support of all Islanders.
The work of the volunteers and the Commission portray Jersey as a philanthropic Island which is a different image to what we are usually known for and suggests diversity within our structure and a very caring Island community.
Can you give an example of how the people you have nominated may have inspired others?
Many of the people who volunteer to take part in Jersey Overseas Aid Commission projects return to Jersey and continue to support the communities they have visited in some way.
The volunteers are encouraged to share their experiences when they return to Jersey with schools, professional organisations, community groups and others who have assisted the group, as well as family, friends and work colleagues.
A great majority of first-time volunteers have been inspired to get involved as a result of hearing about a project from a returning participant.
David Ferguson
Parish: St Ouen
Nominated by: Fiona Ferguson
[figure title=”DSC_6758″ align=”none” id=”1526217″ size=”100″]
NOMINATOR: Fiona Ferguson
What was it about David that made you want to nominate him for a Pride of Jersey Award?
My brother is very unassuming.
‘He has helped for years and years at the surf club and at the Jersey Rugby Football Club juniors.
30 years ago, the Jersey Surfboard Club was not really a club.
He gives hours of his time, completely voluntarily, in addition to having a full-time job for the JEP.
What makes David different from the others in this category or already doing similar work elsewhere?
He is different because he has been absolutely dedicated for around 20 years.
He is committed to his work at both the JEP and the surf club and it is complete self-motivation.
Why should Jersey as a whole feel proud to have David representing them across the community and around the world?
They should be proud of all the voluntary work that he has done.
He has brought the club from absolutely nothing up to something with structure and through his careful organisation, has brought the club onto an international standing.
He has taken a number of members of the club around the world and has even entered teams into leagues in the UK.
He has completely brought up the standard of surfing and we now see a high number of juniors training in a structured unit and a proper surf school.
Many of the juniors now aim to join the club and take part in competitions it is absolutely chock-a.
He has also helped the sport obtain a standing in the Island. I would say it is a recognised sport.
I think what he has achieved through his work for the club, Jersey is on the surfing map now and it is a massive thing for the Island.
Nominee: David Ferguson:
What would it mean to you to win a Pride of Jersey award?
I would be absolutely stoked (using surfing terminology).
‘I am extremely passionate about my photography and surfing but also about our dear Island.
Having the freedom to travel the world surfing with my camera in hand I have been fortunate to meet all kinds of folk from all walks of life.
This has given me the chance to promote the brilliance of our Island, its history, its character, its smallness,
St Ouens Bay, the Jersey cow and of course its great surfers, all of whom have competed on the world, European and national stage for the past five decades.
I am incredibly humbled and honoured to be shortlisted.
What does it mean to you to have been nominated for a Pride of Jersey award and to have received the backing of the public to reach the final three?
I am absolutely gobstruck to have the backing of the general public to reach the final three.
I think any of those nominated are worthy recipients of the award.
‘I would like to thank all those that spent the time to vote.
[related_posts title=”Read more:”]
[breakout title=”Meet the sponsor: TMF Group”]
[youtube]<iframe width=”560″ height=”315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/vFPsxPvyveM?list=PLupHE1HTSs5q0HiB19wvl4BsozzATC7EL” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>[/youtube]
TMF Group managing director Jonathan Jennings said: Wherever you go in the world, people have heard of Jersey.
‘The Island punches well above its weight and is well known for its high standard of operation, its quality workforce, its stability and its regulation.
I was brought up in Jersey, and what I love about it, regardless of its size, is that it has a diverse and vibrant community, and that is evident in many of the activities that take place.
I am proud that Jersey has always embraced different cultures.
And because the TMF Group has had a presence in Jersey for so long, we want to support continued growth and celebrate the growth in the Island.
‘Our core business is about helping individuals and organisations expand internationally.
Being an ambassador for Jersey and the finance industry is always at the forefront of what we do, and this category celebrates those individuals who are putting Jersey on the map.
In terms of the eventual winner, Mr Jennings added: A good ambassador is someone who emphasises the different aspects of Jersey, what we have to offer, over and above the obvious.
‘They will be able to articulate just what a special place Jersey is and encourage people to visit the Island and to see it for what it is a major international success.
[figure caption=”TMF Group managing director Jonathan Jennings” title=”10807274″ align=”none” id=”1526219″ size=”100″]
[/breakout]
