Last week, Kim Noble, who is the operations co-ordinator at SandpiperCI, was asked by Variety Jersey to help them supply gifts for 35 disadvantaged children this Christmas.
Mrs Noble got in touch with stores George, Marks and Spencer, Iceland and others under the Sandpiper remit, who kindly donated a number of items for the cause. However, she realised that there was a lack of items suitable for teenage children.
‘I haven’t got a Scooby-doo what teenagers like,’ said Mrs Noble. ‘So I went on ‘Jersey Ask! Advice’ [Facebook forum] and said “can anybody give me an idea of what to get for teenagers?”’
Within two hours, Mrs Noble had in excess of 200 messages from Islanders offering donations and gifts.
‘I was up until 3 o’clock the following morning answering these messages – the support has been overwhelming. I had to cut the post off as I had so many messages. I put another post up thanking people and it all escalated again. When I finally got to the office yesterday, I couldn’t get in as stuff delivered was piled up to the front doorway,’ Mrs Noble said. I then went downstairs for a coffee, only to find out that the finance office was full of donations as well. The generosity of people has been absolutely fantastic.’
Vulnerable and disadvantaged children up to the age of 16 will be eligible to receive the gifts, which so far include over £300 worth of vouchers, £2,000 worth of toys – purchased by Variety Jersey from Bambola Toymaster – and an abundance of sweets, chocolates, boots, games and clothing.
‘Variety is all about children: whether they are disabled or disadvantaged, they are all our special children,’ said Sandra Auckland, who is the chief barker for Variety in Jersey. ‘They all deserve to be treated equally and have the same opportunities in life as other children. It is so important that all children have a special Christmas.
‘I am just so grateful to Kim for all the hard work she has done to help bring this together. I am overwhelmed by the generosity that the Islanders have shown. To all the businesses: thank you for your support. Thank you just isn’t enough. From the bottom of my heart, on behalf of Variety, I am so grateful. You will help to make so many children happy.’
