Young and old from all walks of life joined together with a common aim – to stand Side By Side – and create this message on the sand for people thousands of miles away in circumstances still hard to comprehend.
Islanders have dug deep in their pockets to provide monetary support, but yesterday lunchtime, as a result of the brainchild of Jersey Evening Post chief reporter Anthony Lewis, they were able to show solidarity and a commitment to go on giving support long term.
People walked, jogged or took the bus – a shuttle service having been provided free of charge by Connex and Tantivy Blue Coach – and waited patiently while the message Side by Side was marked out on the beach near La Rocco Tower.
Many heeded the advice to wear brightly coloured hats, some adding their own decorative touches, and congregated at the slip, sipping teas and coffees, provided free of charge by Le Braye Café and the Women’s Institute – though people were invited to make donations for the Asia Appeal and £1,016 was raised.
Mr Lewis thanked everyone for turning out.
It was not a fund-raising exercise, he explained, but ‘a symbolic thing’ to allow the people of Jersey to demonstrate their support.
‘And I hope the message is that we stand side by side long-term, and that we will be there for them,’ he said.
Soon after, the crowd proceeded down to the beach and were guided by marshals from the TA and the Scouts to fill up the marked out message.
A helicopter, provided for the event by Mark Burby, circled overhead and reminded them of the camera at the ready and soon after the last letters were in place, the pictures were taken.
Almost immediately, a burst of fireworks, with clouds of pink smoke, and the launch of paper parachutes signalled the end of the event.
