Holidays for Heroes Jersey, which was founded by chairman Dawn Woodhouse and her husband, vice-chairman Richard, on 28 August 2008, has arranged holidays in Jersey for more than 2,600 injured former members of the Armed Forces and their families. Often the holidays do not just provide a much-needed break in the Island for these families, but a lifeline.
Every guest, or hero as the couple like to refer to them, must be nominated by a serving welfare officer or a military charity, and each hero has injuries in mind or body attributable to their service.
The couple’s altruistic impact has been so significant that the charity’s current patron – Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton – was moved to praise the couple’s selfless work and the ‘remarkable legacy’ they will leave behind, in a written note he sent to them earlier this year.
However, since they announced their intention to step down in February, Mr Woodhouse says they have not heard from any potential successor to continue the crucial work that the charity does.
‘Sadly, we have been unable to find successors to lead Holidays for Heroes Jersey,’ Mr Woodhouse said.
‘Although we do not step aside until the charity’s AGM next March, it is important for us to be able to work with a successor soon.
‘It may well mean the end of the charity if we cannot find a successor, but all avenues will be explored.
‘And Dawn and I would like to send out this message: Your charity needs you!’
Mr Woodhouse said the couple were unsure why no one had shown an interest in taking over the reins of Holidays for Heroes Jersey thus far, but insisted that the right person – or people – to replace them at the head of the charity would not regret it.
‘Helping injured servicemen and woman to enjoy a week’s holiday in Jersey, which they need and deserve, is a very satisfying experience,’ he added.
‘And many past hero guests have said their visit to the Island “changed our lives”, “it was the beginning of my recovery”, “Jersey’s welcome was amazing” et cetera.’
Mrs Woodhouse said interested parties should contact the couple to discuss the role and what it would involve.
‘Ideally, an individual or individuals would take over as vice-chairman and chairman from Richard and me. Someone else may wish to run it differently to the way we do and that is something we would be happy to discuss with them – and support them in.’
Anyone interested in taking over the day-to-day running of the charity should call Mr and Mrs Woodhouse on 856658.
