Charity is ‘sickened’ by voucher seller

Charity is ‘sickened’ by voucher seller

The man received about £65 worth of vouchers earlier this month to help him pay for his Christmas groceries and heating over the festive period, after his application for assistance was approved by one of the charity’s referring agencies.

The Islander sold at least one of the coupons through a Facebook page called Jersey Stuff For Sale.

Annette Blanchet, the Jersey Christmas Appeal’s honorary treasurer, said the man’s actions had hijacked the true meaning of Christmas.

‘The appeal is aware that an individual has been attempting to profit financially by selling on vouchers which were issued to them,’ she said.

‘We are sickened that someone has abused the help which was provided to them, and which was funded by the generosity of Islanders. We would like to reassure the public that action has been taken and the matter was dealt with as soon as it came to our attention.’

She said that the heating and grocery vouchers which were issued to the individual had been cancelled, but added: ‘We understand that one has already been redeemed and we are now following this up with the retailer who accepted it.’

Each year the Christmas Appeal aims to raise in excess of £100,000 to assist Islanders in need during the festive period. It provides help in several forms – through hampers, fuel vouchers to enable people to heat their homes, and toy and food vouchers.

On average, 1,500 families or individuals are helped each year and the appeal gives out about 100 hampers, 1,250 food vouchers, 1,300 fuel vouchers and 1,000 young person’s gift vouchers.

Individuals and families are nominated to receive help and they have to fill in a form to apply for a hamper or vouchers. Their application is then verified by one of several authorised agencies in the Island.

Ms Blanchet added: ‘The appeal has strict processes in place, working alongside referring agencies, to try to ensure that only those people in genuine need of help receive it. These will, of course, be reviewed in light of recent events.

‘We have received many letters of thanks from those who really appreciate the assistance that has been given, and for whom it genuinely makes a difference.’

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