ISLANDERS were ‘fantastically generous’ in their donations to homeless people during the recent ‘Tinathon’ campaign – breaking all previous records – despite the pressure created by the cost-of-living crisis, according to Jersey’s Shelter Trust.
The annual collection of tinned meat, fish, vegetables, soup and fruit saw roughly 9,000 items donated on Friday at West’s Centre, totalling about 1,000 more than last year’s event. The food will help to feed residents at the Island’s seven residential homes run by Shelter, as well as providing emergency food parcels for others in the wider community who are in need of help.
Richard Robins, a trustee for the organisation, said he was very grateful to sponsors Rowland Recruitment, who covered all costs involved in staging the event, and to the volunteers, who helped collect, sort and transport the donations on Friday.
It was the 13th year for the appeal, which is supported by 14 primary schools that collected for the event. A number of local businesses acted as collection points for the appeal including: Waitrose at Red Houses, Longueville and Grands Vaux, Co-op Grand Marché, SandpiperCI in their M&S Food and Iceland stores plus Morrisons in St Aubin, St Ouen, at Benests and Five Oaks, as well as the National Trust for Jersey’s office at The Elms, and St Ouen’s Church.
Mr Robins said: ‘I’m never surprised by the fantastic support we get from people in Jersey who must realise this is going to be a very difficult year. I can’t tell why people are being even more generous this year, but I think they know the need now is greater than ever.’
