The eventual winner(s) could go beyond what is expected of a grandparent, stepping in to help with a family crisis, or simply being there at times of need.
With busy lives, many parents of young children often turn to their parents for help and guidance and grandparents, who should be enjoying retirement, are often happy to do their bit.
Read about the nominees here:
Name: Moira Wilcox
Parish: St Peter
Nominated by: Molly Anne Banim
A ‘BRAVE and kind-hearted’ grandmother who is loved by her family has been nominated for the Grandparent of the Year Award.
Moira Wilcox’s nominator, granddaughter Molly Anne Banim, says she deserves the award because she is a lovely and caring person who is always happy.
She has suffered from cancer in the past and has bravely overcome this with a smile the whole way through.
She is regarded as an ‘incredible’ grandmother by her grandchild and as someone who always puts others before herself.
‘My Nanny helps me pull through tough times,’ said Molly.
‘She supports you every step of the way.’
Moira has watched over her and stuck by her through good and through difficult times.
Molly loves her grandmother and feels lucky to have her.
‘I love my Nanny with all my heart,’ she said.
Name: Julie and David Duhamel
Parish: St Saviour
Nominated by: Laura and Alex Duhamel
A COUPLE who both work full-time but still dedicate their lives to their only grandchild have been nominated for the Grandparent of the Year Award.
Julie and David Duhamel have been put forward by their daughter Laura and five-year-old grandson Alex for ‘carrying them through each challenge’ in their lives and never ‘putting themselves first’.
Ms Duhamel said: ‘I do not know what I would do without my parents – they are my rock. They both work full-time and still dedicate their time to my five-year-old Alex by helping with school runs, caring for him while I work and encouraging him to grow into an amazing and caring individual.
‘This year has not been the easiest for us, but my parents have stood right by our sides and carried us through each challenge, both still wearing a smile.’
Ms Duhamel added that her parents would be ‘very embarrassed’ that they had been nominated but they deserved recognition for giving so much time to
others.
Name: Lester and Annie Richardson
Parish: St Martin
Nominated by: Tegan and Isaac Knight
TWO grandparents who take pride in looking after their two grandchildren while their mother goes to work have been nominated for the Grandparent of the Year Award.
Lester and Annie Richardson are ‘the best grandparents ever’, according to their grandchildren who nominated them, and have been there when times where hard.
Tegan Knight and Isaac Knight lost their father to cancer nearly two years ago.
Through a very difficult time, their grandparents have been their to support them, and when their mother had to go back to work, Mr and Mrs Richardson looked after their grandchildren.
Tegan and Isaac say that their grandfather is like a dad to them and their grandmother does anything and everything to help out in supporting them.
‘What has happened to us has been very sad, but granny and popsie always do things to cheer us up, and we are all a lot closer as a family,’ they said.
They decided to nominate their grandmother and grandfather for the Grandparent of the Year Award because they wanted to show them how grateful they were.
Name: Peter Donnelly
Parish: St Peter
Nominated by: Sue Upton
AN ISLANDER who ‘dropped anything and everything’ to help his granddaughter has been nominated for the Grandparent of the Year Award.
Peter Donnelly, who passed away earlier this month, has been put forward by his daughter Sue Upton, for being the ‘right-hand man’ of his only granddaughter living in Jersey, ten-year-old Emily.
Ms Upton said: ‘Emily came along just as my father had retired and he was able to spend more time with her than he had been able to with his other grandchildren.
‘When he became ill with cancer it broke his heart to think that he would not see her growing up, but the time they had spent together was special.’
Mr Donnelly, who had seven grandchildren altogether, spent hours with Emily doing her homework, and was more than happy to pick her up from school.
‘They enjoyed their private jokes and confided in each other with secrets that only they were a party to,’ Ms Upton added.
‘He has had such an impact on her life and she, together with all his grandchildren, will miss him dreadfully.
‘Thanks, dad, we will miss and love you for ever.’
Name: Jean Cooper
Parish: St Clement
Nominated by: Chloe Greechan
A GREAT-grandmother of five and grandmother of three has been put forward for this year’s Pride of Jersey Awards for being ‘the heart of the family and a guardian angel’.
Jean Cooper (74) has been nominated by one of her great-grandchildren, Chloe Greechan, who says that her nan is an inspiration.
The 14-year-old added: ‘Nan has always been there for me and all the family.
‘She is not just a nan but a wonderful great-grandmother and the most wonderful mum.
‘She never asks for anything, but gives to people all the time.
‘All the family look up to her as a brave and strong woman.’
Chloe’s mother, Lindsey, said that Mrs Cooper was ‘the most amazing and selfless’ person, and was always there to help her family.
‘There aren’t enough words to describe her – she just holds us all together,’ she added.
Name: Eddie Franks
Parish: St Clement
Nominated by: Amber, Summer, James, Fran and Emma Franks
A ‘GENTLE giant’ who has been described as the ‘best papa in the whole world’ has been put forward for this year’s Pride of Jersey Awards.
Eddie Franks, a grandfather of five and great-grandfather of one, lost his wife of 53 years in December but has been a ‘rock’ to his family despite his hardship.
Mr Franks has been nominated for the Grandparent of the Year Award by his children and grandchildren who believe he deserves recognition for being ‘truly amazing’.
His granddaughter Amber said: ‘No one can ask for a better papa than him. We lost our nanny at Christmas to cancer and papa has been our rock even though he hurt inside. He is the most loving and caring papa we could have. He makes everything feel better.’
Mr Franks family said that he always made time to see his grandchildren and put them first, particularly after the loss of their grandmother and mother.
James, Mr Frank’s son, said that his father had been there for his family even after his wife was taken from him and tried to look after them all during a ‘difficult time’.
Name: Jo Brown
Parish: St Clement
Nominated by: Sarah Pope on behalf of Lucy and Charlie
AN ISLANDER who will ‘drop everything’ for her family when they need her has been nominated for the Grandparent of the Year Award.
Jo Brown, who has seven grandchildren, has been put forward for this award by Lucy and Charlie, who say that their grandmother is always there for them when they need her.
‘If mummy goes in the hospital for an operation, she is there for us’ they said.
Lucy has aspergers syndrome and Charlie has complex special needs that mean he is in and out of hospital.
‘Mrs Brown is a loving grandmother who will do anything for her grandchildren,’ they said.
Charlie has had to make a number of trips to hospital in Southampton.
Mrs Brown would fly to Southampton in order to act as extra support alongside his mum.
She has been to endless appointments with Charlie and has been very supportive in helping him through difficult times.
Lucy and Charlie say that Mrs Brown loves them and is very caring towards them and her other family members too.
Name: Caroline Ludlow
Parish: St Clement
Nominated by: Fiona Green
A ‘LOVING’ grandmother who cares for her two grandchildren and their great grandmother has been nominated for the Grandparent of the Year Award.
Caroline Ludlow spent her working years caring for others in a nursing capacity both at the Hospital and
in her career as a manager for children with physical and mental disabilities.
She has now retired and still continues her kindness in her family life.
Mrs Ludlow has enabled her daughter to go back to work by looking after her two children Dylan and Cari.
She does this alongside caring for her 98-year-old mother at home who she needs to be with for a great deal of the day.
Her daughter Fiona Green nominated her for the award and described her as ‘smiley, loving and helpful’.
‘She is my rock and I could not be prouder,’ she added.
‘It makes me smile whenever people realise who my mum is as they always have wonderful things to say about her.
‘She has helped many people in her life and continues to make everyone around her smile.’
Name: Mary Bidan
Parish: St John
Nominated by: Chanel Brady
AN ISLANDER who has been described as having the ‘kindest soul’ and ‘amazing’ has been put forward by her granddaughter for this year’s Pride of Jersey Awards.
Mary Bidan has been nominated by 21-year-old Chanel Brady – who has lived with her grandmother since she was two years old – for her continued help and support.
Ms Brady said that despite ‘serious health problems’, her grandmother has brought her up since she was a young child and would ‘do anything to help anyone’.
She added: ‘She has always been there for her children, foster children, friends and family.
‘She started up a Battle of Flowers float almost 40 years ago, which is still going, and has helped so many people in the community.
‘I really think she deserves this as a well done and a thank you so that she realises how very special she is and that we are very grateful for all she has done and continues to do.’
Name: John and Pauline Vallois
Parish: St Saviour
Nominated by: James Vallois and Jean Hansford
A COUPLE who are ‘loving and nurturing’ and are ‘amazing parents and grandparents’ have been put forward for this year’s Pride of Jersey Awards.
John and Pauline Vallois have been nominated by their son James and their daughter Jean Hansford for the Grandparent of the Year Award for their continued support for their eight grandchildren.
Ms Hansford said: ‘My mum and dad have always been there for our children.
‘My mum would walk the children to school everyday, pick them up after school, do their homework with them and teach them basic life skills like cooking, and more importantly, respect for other people.’
She added that even when Mrs Vallois had cancer and had to have a hip replacement she used her mobility scooter to get out and about to see her grandchildren.
‘My mum has been the glue that holds our family together,’ she said.
‘We are a very loving and close family and that is all down to a wonderful mother and grandmother.’
Mr Vallois, who also submitted a nomination for the couple, said: ‘My father is forever running around after one of the grandchildren and would never see them do without.
‘They are part of their grandchildren’s lives everyday.
‘They are like second parents to my son and he has a fantastic relationship with them.’
Name: Irene and Clive Hansford
Parish: St Brelade
Nominated by: Jodi Hansford
A COUPLE who have always been ‘amazingly supportive’ of their children and grandchildren have been put forward for this year’s Pride of Jersey Awards.
Irene and Clive Hansford have been nominated by their daughter Jodi Hansford on behalf of their four grandchildren.
‘When Miya started school we were unable to find a way to pick her up everyday so dad arranged with his work that he would start at 6 am so he could pick her up.’
Ms Hanford also nominated her parents on behalf of her brother Ross’s children, Riley (7) and Nixon (2).
When Nixon was born he was taken by air ambulance to Southampton General Hospital with poor muscle tone and breathing issues and Mrs Hansford went with her son to Southampton to support both him and his wife.
Mr and Mrs Hansford have also changed their home office into a makeshift bedroom to enable their son and his family to stay overnight at weekends.
Despite visiting her ill mother everyday and working full-time, Mrs Hansford is still able to see her grandchildren every week and continues to support her family.
Name: Tony and Diane Marett
Parish: Trinity
Nominated by: Craig Marett, on behalf of Mason Marett
A COUPLE who have been ‘a lifeline’ to their son and grandson throughout their lives have been put forward for the Pride of Jersey Awards for being ‘super grandparents’.
Tony and Diane Marett have been nominated by their son, Craig, for the support they have given to him and his son, Mason (4).
Craig (35) said: ‘When Mason was born they bought a new pram for him, and grandad being a fanatical golfer, he put Mason’s name down on the golf course waiting list.
‘And when Mason was three he taught him how to hit a ball!’
Tony and Diane, who have three sons and seven grandchildren, collect Mason from school and help him with his homework and ‘always put their grandchildren first’.
Mr Marett said that when his dad discovered in 2012 that he had a tumour, he still helped them to move house, just days after his operation.
‘It seemed like Mason also helped his grandad get through the illness,’ he said.
‘They do loads together, always following each other about, and they both miss each other when they don’t see each other for a few days.
‘If I ask Mason what he wants to do, it’s always to go to nanny and grandad’s house.’
Name: Jean Lescop
Parish: St Heiler
Nominated by: Nicole Gueguen
A YOUNG Islander who said she could not be without her ‘lovely’ granddad has put his name forward for the Grandparent of the Year Award.
Nicole Gueguen (10) said that her grandad, Jean Lescop, deserves to win the award because he looks after her and her two sisters and also takes them out to explore Jersey.
Nicole said: ‘He especially looks after my younger sister Marie-Claire because she was born with restricted growth and struggled to put on weight.
‘And he helped my mummy look after her when she was in work while my sister was not at nursery.
‘Not only does grandad know how to feed her, but he also takes her to groups to help with her development.
‘Not many grandads do this.’
Nicole added that he loves chatting to people and asking them if they need any help.
Mr Lescop’s daughter, Angela, said that he had helped her so much by taking care of her and her three children, especially while she was pregnant and recovering from a fit.
‘We love him so much,’ she said.
Name: Brenda Williams
Parish: St Helier
Nominated by: Kelly Wilson
AN ISLANDER who has sacrificed a lot for her family and is there for them ‘around the clock’ has been nominated for the Grandparent of the Year Award.
Brenda Williams has been put forward by her daughter, Kelly Wilson, for her support ‘through laughter and tears’ following the birth of her twins in 2012.
Mrs Wilson said: ‘Stressful times and sleepless nights never gave Brenda a fright, sleeping on the sofa just to make sure that we were all right.
‘You see, she is not a Christmas nan, a birthday nan or a when-I-have-a-minute nan, she is a devoted, caring, loving nan who has sacrificed a lot.
‘She is here for us around the clock, whether she is in pain or not, and that is why she is the best of the lot.’
Ms Williams, who has three grandchildren, retired to help Mrs Wilson with childcare and can often be found ‘whizzing down slides dressed as a pirate’ or ‘crawling into a tent pretending to have a cup of tea’ with the three-year-old twins.
Mrs Wilson added: ‘Thanks for the support, unconditional love, reality checks and funny moments that we have shared.
‘You are our world.’
Name: Julie Nerac
Parish: St Clement
Nominated by: Alicia Parker
A WOMAN whose family believe that she deserves recognition for all of the hard work and help that she has given them has been nominated for the Grandparent of the Year Award.
Julie Nerac has been put forward for the award by her daughter Alicia Parker for her ‘continued help and support’, especially with Alicia’s six-year-old son, Will.
Mrs Parker said: ‘I am nominating my mum – my son’s gran – because she has helped us so much and continues to help and support.
‘It is very hard to explain how valuable she really is.
‘Will adores his gran and looks forward to his “special time” with her.
‘As a family we are very close and I know my whole family would agree that she deserves this recognition as she also works full-time.’
Mrs Parker said that her son was born 11 weeks premature and during that time Mrs Nerac visited them in hospital every day and ‘helped wherever she could’.
Will has recently been diagnosed with autism and Mrs Parker says that her mother attends all the relevant courses so that she is able to help him as ‘best as she can’.
Name: Patricia Guegan
Parish: Grouville
Nominated by: Natalie Kemp
A WOMAN who ‘exudes a sense of pride in Jersey’ and goes ‘above and beyond’ in all she does for everyone, has been nominated for the inaugural Grandparent of the Year Award.
Patricia Guegan has been put forward by her daughter Natalie Kemp, who says that Mrs Guegan ‘epitomises’ the sort of person that Jersey should be proud of.
Mrs Kemp said: ‘From the ordinary grandparent duties – babysitting, sleepovers and swimming lessons – to the extraordinary – doing our washing and ironing following the birth of our second child, I believe it is the strong sense of Jersey pride that my mother has successfully instilled in her first grandchild that sets her apart.’
Mrs Guegan, grandmother to three-year-old Alfred and ten-month-old Claribel, is always sharing ‘pearls of wisdom’ and educating them about Jersey.
‘Look mummy, the cows are sitting down – that means it is going to rain,’ Mrs Kemp said.
‘It is the little voice from the back of the car sharing pearls of wisdom that I know could only have come from one source – nanna.
‘At just three years of age and given the fact that he spent the first two and a half years of his life in Australia, my son’s knowledge of Jersey life never fails to amaze me.
‘It always makes me smile as I ask – knowing full well what the answer is – where did you learn that, Alfred? The answer inevitably comes: nanna.’
Name: Betty Abraham
Parish: St Clement
Nominated by: Ruby Cabral
AN ISLANDER who has been described as ‘amazing’ by her young granddaughter has been put forward for this year’s Pride of Jersey Awards.
Betty Abraham has been nominated by her eight-year-old granddaughter, Ruby Cabral, who said that even though her grandma was sad, she was ‘amazing in all ways’.
Following the death of Mrs Abraham’s daughter Sharon Baglin – who died in 2010 after falling down the stairs at home – Ruby has been a ‘ray of sunshine’ to her grandmother, says Ruby’s mother, Nicola Cabral.
‘She also walks the dog, even though she has had a knee replacement.
‘She taught me how to scrub Jersey Royals.
‘My grandma helps clean up most of the time and she is amazing because she buys treats from the shop for us.’
Mrs Cabral said that Ruby missed her grandma whenever the family went away on holiday.
Ruby added: ‘She always says the three most important things are faith, hope and love. She always says the most important is love.’
Name: Jane Dervin
Parish: St Ouen
Nominated by: Lisa Clynes on behalf of Jacob and Isaac Clynes
A WOMAN who has endured ‘immeasurable grief’ but puts all her energy and love into helping others has been nominated by her two young grandsons for this year’s Grandparent of the Year Award.
Jane Dervin, who gave up her career as a technician in the pathology laboratory at the Hospital to care for her mother after she had a stroke, has been described as an ‘amazing’ friend, mother and grandmother by her daughter, Lisa Clynes.
Mrs Dervin, who is fondly known as ‘manman’ by her family, lost her mother as a teenager and supported her daughter through chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with cancer aged 30.
She moved to the UK to help care for her grandson Jacob, as his mother, Lisa, faced months of treatment.
Mrs Clynes, who submitted the nomination on behalf of her two sons, Jacob and Isaac, said that her mother also supported her family when her other son, Isaac, was ill and underwent a heart transplant at just six months old.
In her spare time, Mrs Dervin can be seen in the goal, under the line of fire from her football mad grandson Jacob, who is now six.
Name: Annette Le Riche
Parish: St Clement
Nominated by: Rachel Labey
A SKYDIVING grandmother of six has been nominated for this year’s Grandparent of the Year Award for being an ‘inspirational and amazing’ woman.
Annette Le Riche who will be 80 this year, holds the title of the ‘oldest skydiver’ in Jersey and will be taking to the skies again in July with her granddaughter Rachael Labey, who has nominated her for the award.
Mrs Le Riche skydived in 2011 to raise money for the RNLI in memory of her son Paul Le Riche, who died in a boating accident near Corbière in 2001.
Her 24-year-old granddaughter said: ‘Granny always puts her friends and family before herself and it is about time she got something for being the amazing woman she is.
‘She works to help raise funds for the RNLI, the charity for which my uncle was a crew member. If anyone in the family needs anything patching up or sewing, granny willingly offer to help.’
The grandmother of six from St Clement, who is fondly known as ‘super gran’, drives her friends to the numerous clubs that she is involved with, which include, the Women’s Institute, knitting club, keep fit classes and astronomy club.
Name: Veronica Curtin
Parish: St Helier
Nominated by: Zoe Curtin on behalf of Charlie Curtin
A WOMAN who has been a ‘rock’ for her family throughout her life and will do ‘anything’ for anyone has been nominated for the Grandparent of the Year Award.
Veronica Curtin has been nominated by her daughter Zoe Curtin on behalf of her grandson Charlie for award for being ‘the best granny in the world’.
Miss Curtin said that her mother had been ‘such a great help’ and although the things that she has done could be seen as ‘mundane’, her support was there when she needed it most.
‘When my mummy was poorly and needed an operation, my grandmother looked after me and my mummy. My granny deserves this award as she is the best granny in the world and I love her,’ five-year-old grandson Charlie said.
Ms Curtin’s granddaugther Hannah, also described her as ‘fabulous’ and said that any time her or her family have needed her, she has been there for them.
‘She played a big part in raising me,’ she said, ‘she brought me up. Everything good that she does is subliminal and kind heartedly, and there is nothing that she would not do for us or any of her family.’
The sponsor: The Channel Islands Co-operative Society
WITH over 1,000 employees and 115,000 customers across the Channel Islands, the Co-op has an unrivalled reach in terms of regular interaction with the community.
And, being a co-operative society means from the very bottom of the company to the very top, it is all about working together and improving both the business and the community in which it operates.
Chief Executive Colin Macleod said: ‘I am very proud of our role in the community and while there area bigger employers, I do not think there is anyone with the same community connection as ours.
‘Our prime purpose is to make a difference to the community that we serve.
‘We do that in countless ways – through dividend, supporting good causes, investing with local growers and the actions of our colleagues, who continually astonish me with how far they go out of their way to live up to our brand with what they do in the community.’
WHY THESE AWARDS?
‘I guess the awards personify our DNA.
‘There are that many great things that happen in our community that we don’t get to hear about.
‘It was something that met so closely with our DNA that it was difficult for us to do anything other than support it.’
WHY THIS CATEGORY?
‘We’ve got loads of grandparents in our organisation and we are able to offer them opportunities to continue their careers beyond retirement.
‘We know how much they are depended upon by their extended families.
‘It’s a product of the modern world where grandparents don’t get the chance to enjoy their retirement as much as they used to – we don’t celebrate the role that grandparents play as they pull us together.
‘We therefore leapt at the chance of taking this category as it’s one that doesn’t get the press it deserves.’
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN THE WINNER?
‘I think life can be hard on children these days, extra schooling, exams etc.
‘Therefore, I’d like to see a grandparent bring a bit of fun to their role – creating time for laughter and for the building of memories in children.
‘Clearly I guess dedication is a must in this category, but I like the sense of fun and mischief to come out in a winner.
‘But I’m expecting a lot of incredibly strong entries and an impossible task!’
