- The finalists in the first Pride of Jersey Awards have now been decided
- Over the next fortnight the chosen three in each category will be revealed
- Today, we announce the Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year finalists
THIS award is to recognise an Islander or a group who have worked tirelessly to raise money for a good cause or who have dedicated their time to helping others.
Tomorrow: Meet the finalists in the Unsung Sporting Hero category
The fundraising itself should take place in the Island, but the funds could be spent in Jersey or overseas.
They could work alone or be part of a bigger group.
Jersey is an Island of fundraisers, but who are the ones who are leading by example?
Jersey also has a dedicated army of volunteers who are the heartbeat of many charities and organisations, helping them to keep going thanks to their tireless commitment.
Some people dedicate their lives to helping others this way, and it can go unnoticed.
Meet the three finalists:
Hayley Dewar
Parish: St Peter
Nominated by: Mrs Naomi Mews
SCOUT leader Hayley Dewar has been shortlisted in the final three in the Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year section.
Mrs Dewar has been described as the driving force within the local scout organisation having been involved in the movement for over two decades, playing an enormous role in encouraging, promoting and working in the 3rd Jersey (St Saviour) Scout Group.
NOMINATOR: Naomi Mews
Mrs Dewar was nominated by Naomi Mews who described her as ‘positive and inspiring.
‘Hayley has over many years built up one of the largest scouting groups in the Island as a direct result of her commitment, enthusiasm, drive and determination,’ she said.
‘This is a huge job and she does it fantastically, giving up an enormous amount of time as a volunteer.
‘She has enabled hundreds of young people to learn new skills, develop new friends and become more confident, while having great fun too.’
Mrs Mews also described other attributes which she believes makes Mrs Dewar special.
‘Hayley always leads by example with a kind and cheery attitude and the scouting groups regularly work to support the voluntary work of other charities,’ she said.
Seeing Hayley happily serving hot bacon butties and tea at St Catherine’s Breakwater early on the morning of the Collas Crill Round Jersey Walk with a huge smile on her face on behalf of the scout helpers showed me how she always goes the extra mile to serve others.’
NOMINEE: Hayley Dewar
What would it mean to you to win a Pride of Jersey award?
‘If I was lucky enough to win the award, it would be a huge honour to receive it on behalf of all those who work with me at the 3rd Jersey Scout Group.
‘Scouting is all about teamwork and my role as the Group Scout Leader is to ensure that all our volunteer leaders and our members’ parents are fully informed on what is going on.
‘I believe that being positive and creating a family atmosphere within the sections is key and by winning the award would reinforce this ethos to my team.
‘Being a scouting volunteer is not about receiving awards, but when we are recognised this generates a true sense of pride and enables us to reflect on all the things we have done to support the young people in our communities.’
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?
‘When I received the call about my nomination, I was truly shocked, as I feel there are lots of others across the Island who give up their time to scouting and other associations.
‘I enjoy my hobby and am delighted to have seen so many young people come through the group, who have now flourished into responsible young adults.
‘After reading the nomination information from one of our member’s parents, I was very appreciative of her kind words.
‘Making it to the final three has shown me what support I have, not only from those involved in the association but other friends and family members, which has been quite humbling.’
Reg Langlois
Parish: St Brelade
Nominated by: Mrs Barbie Buchholz
REG Langlois, whose home and garden at Badger’s Holt in St Brelade has been used for countless charity events over the past 20 years, has also made it to the final of the Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year Section.
Mr Langlois has regularly opened up Badger’s Holt to fundraisers at no cost to the charities and also offers all the necessary tea and coffee supplies and facilities free of charge.
NOMINATOR: Barbie Buchholz
Mr Langlois is described by his nominator, Barbie Buchholz, as ‘a very gentle man’ who has always been extremely helpful and kind.
‘I don’t know of anyone else who has opened up their home in Jersey for so long and is so selfless to good causes,’ she said.
‘I would like on behalf of every charity in Jersey to say a huge thank you Reg, for your great kindness to us all, making it possible to have fun and fundraise in such a pleasant fashion.
‘I hope that his kindness to us all in Jersey will be an inspiration to others to help the less fortunate of our beautiful Island.’
NOMINEE: Reg Langlois
What would it mean to you to win a Pride of Jersey award?
‘It would mean an awful lot to me to win something in my lifetime.
‘I am just a few months off 80 and I have never won anything yet.
‘Helping others has always been part of my life and when I started creating the garden 20 years ago, after being made redundant, I didn’t know it at the time that I had created a monster, something that had taken over my life, something that I could use to help others.
‘Being severely dyslexic, I didn’t think that I was going to be good at achieving anything, let alone being nominated for an award like this.
‘It means everything to me and makes me proud to be a Jerseyman.’
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?
‘It means that I have done something right for a change.
‘Something that only came to me by accident, something that, had I not been made redundant, might not have happened.
‘Why did I do it? I’ll tell you – it was people, people from all walks of life wishing me well, encouraging me to have something of beauty that they could enjoy, something that they said was ‘a work of love.’
‘I don’t know about that, but it has worked.
‘Having 15,000 visitors in the garden each year and making them 6,500 cups of tea (free) has certainly been the highlight of my life.
‘I have enjoyed chatting to folk from all around the world and I think that the time spent with them is maybe good for them learning about Jersey, and good for me, and others to listen to them putting the world to rights.’
Jersey Hospice Care Volunteers
Parish: St Helier
Nominated by: Caroline Campbell of Jersey Hospice Care
THE third contenders for the award are a group of volunteers who offer their services at Jersey Hospice Care across all areas of the charity’s work.
A number of them offered their thoughts and feelings on being nominated.
What would it mean to you to win a Pride of Jersey award?
‘I think it would be wonderful for all the volunteers to know how much their help is appreciated by everyone on the Island.’
‘Fantastic recognition of the work we, as volunteers, put in to enable the Jersey Hospice Care to continue to be one of the best in Europe, a peaceful place where patients are helped to make the end of their life as stress-free and peaceful as possible.’
‘I personally don’t volunteer at Hospice for any recognition outside of the special feeling that I get for helping in the kitchen and In Patient Unit.
‘So to win this award would feel like a huge pat on the back and of course I would be beaming from ear to ear, PROUD would be an understatement!!’
‘It would make me feel very proud to be part of such a great winning team.’
‘It would be a great honour to win a Pride of Jersey award especially as it would reflect on the contribution the whole team make to the running of Jersey Hospice.’
‘To win a Pride of Jersey award would be an endorsement from the public of Jersey, that they value the important role of Hospice and the part the team of volunteers play in supporting Islanders.’
‘It is a privilege to be able to help in my own way and to win would just be the icing on the cake.’
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?
‘Because there are so many other good causes and also so many people who give up their time to be nominated by ordinary people, I think is a privilege.’
‘It is great to know that the public recognises the value of the work of volunteers at the Hospice, something which not everyone feels they can do themselves.’
‘It just shows how valued we are as a service to the public and how they know what everyone does in their own way to help with the time they put in.’
‘It feels good to know that the general public are aware of the help we give to such a worthwhile cause.’
‘To be nominated for a Pride of Jersey award means a great deal, especially knowing that the public have an input into the awards and I see it as recognition for the whole team for the wonderful support Hospice provide to the community.’
‘As a relatively new volunteer I am extremely proud to be part of the team to be nominated for a Pride of Jersey award.
It is an endorsement from the people of Jersey that they understand the vital role provided by Hospice volunteers.’
‘It is wonderful to have been nominated and the backing of the people of Jersey, for me, is showing their appreciation of the care given by all at Hospice.’
MARKETING Bureau managing director Julie Littlemore chose to sponsor this category due to her company’s strong community ethos.
She said: ‘As a company, we feel very strongly about corporate social responsibility, particularly as Jersey is a small community.
‘Islanders and companies are supportive in so many areas, and it is important that we all do our bit in a volunteering or charity capacity.
‘Volunteering and fundraising are activities we are passionate about.
‘All charities and volunteers should be recognised for their dedication and time they give to the community.
‘We have limited resources in Jersey, for instance in the health system, and if it wasn’t for the support of local charities, we would be in a bit of mess.
‘Also, it is always nice to see the community work together, whether it’s volunteering for something or raising funds.
‘We very much want to support and encourage that.’
‘In terms of the winner, I’d like to see somebody who is selfless and helps the less fortunate.
‘I think all volunteers and fundraisers should be winners.
‘The people of Jersey appreciate volunteers and fundraisers so much, as they are often behind-the-scenes.
‘And, of course, local organisations could be winners, too.’
