Christmas Appeal organiser praises Islanders’ generosity as bidding opens

Christmas Appeal organiser Fiona Walker

THE organiser of the Christmas Appeal has praised the generosity of Islanders as bidding for items opened on Friday.

Having raised a total of nearly £51,803 through the auction alone last year, the items listed on this year’s auction range from a bee hive to a week’s holiday in Barbados for eight people.

Organiser Fiona Walker said: ‘We’ve had some amazingly generous donations. We now need some amazingly generous bidders.

‘I never try to compare year on year and I never want to set targets.

‘The generosity, from the smallest to the biggest lots, has been exceptional.’

Among the more expensive donations, the current bid for a week’s holiday in Barbados is £5,500, which was donated anonymously.

Islanders wishing to start a new hobby can do so by bidding for their own flat-pack bee hive, bee-keeper suit, smoker and hive tools, which have been donated by Jersey Honey with a current bid of £200.

The aim of the appeal is to support Islanders in need during the festive period, through providing food hampers, toy vouchers and fuel coupons.

On average, 1,500 individuals or families are given support each year. Those usually targeted by the appeal include neglected children, single-parent homes, pensioners and low-income homes.

A live auction will take place on Sunday 4 December, the final day of bidding for Islanders, which Ms Walker hopes will run smoothly.

She added: ‘I hope it’ll run smoothly. We’ve changed the format, year on year. I’m hoping that the hard work will pay off.

‘I’d like to emphasise that we’re grateful to those who donated, from the smallest to the largest donations.’

The auction lots: CLICK HERE

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