ISLANDERS and organisations have been praised for their ‘overwhelming’ efforts to make the festive season easier for the dozens of people unable to return home following the Pier Road explosion.
Food hampers, vouchers and donations have been pouring in – as 41 Islanders continue to wait to hear whether they will be back in their properties in time for Christmas.
The blast on Saturday 10 December killed nine people in the Haut du Mont apartments and left many surrounding homes severely damaged.
The government and social-housing provider Andium Homes organised alternative housing, financial aid, the redirection of post, GP care, emotional wellbeing services and other forms of help.
However, many businesses and Islanders have also provided support – including contributing to the Bailiff’s Island Appeal, which is due to close today.
Deputy Chief Minister Kirsten Morel said the government was ‘overwhelmed by and grateful for the many offers of help from the community’.
‘Everyone’s immediate and generous response will help to make life for these Islanders a little easier, especially during Christmas. The support complements the broader assistance they are already receiving from the Government of Jersey and Andium Homes.
‘I wholeheartedly applaud this latest display of our Island’s community spirit and I would like to say a big thank-you to everyone for their kindness.’
Among the organisations that pitched in were the Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the Institute of Directors, which both rallied their members to donate and help.
Chamber chief executive Murray Norton said: ‘Government officers contacted me last week to discuss those 41 people in 30 families displaced from their homes, and suggested that a gift hamper would bring a small and much-needed glimmer of seasonal cheer to those affected – for whom Christmas shopping would be the last thought they would have.’
He continued: ‘Chamber had already pledged £1,000 on behalf of our members, which was matched by Jersey Telecom, the sponsors of our December Chamber lunch, that we had postponed in light of the awful circumstances of the Pier Road tragedy.
‘Our Chamber president, Adam Budworth, is the managing director of Grant Thornton CI, and they supported a further £1,000 towards the hampers supplied by La Mare Wine Estate, who put extra vouchers in too. The Co-op added further shopping vouchers and with the expediency required, it was all achieved within 24 hours.’
He pointed out the Chamber of Commerce’s own offices were on Pier Road, adding that the organisation ‘naturally felt a strong empathy to our neighbours’.
‘As many in the community have proved and continue to prove, we all stand together to support where needed and to let those displaced know they are in our thoughts this Christmas,’ he added.
The nine Islanders who were named as missing residents have now been formally identified and officers across the States police and government are assisting with the next steps so that families can start making funeral arrangements.
Peter Bowler (72), Raymond (Raymie) Brown (71), Romeu and Louise De Almeida (67 and 64), Derek and Sylvia Ellis (61 and 73), Ken and Jane Ralph (72 and 71) and Billy Marsden (63) all died in the blast.
The Deputy Viscount is expected to open the inquests next Friday [30th December] and adjourn them while the police investigation continues.
In a statement, a police spokesperson said: ‘Our thoughts continue to be with the families and friends affected by this tragedy. They continue to receive support from specially trained officers.
‘Detectives will continue their inquiries throughout the festive period and a cordon of the site will remain in place into the New Year, with specialist scientific work expected to last several weeks.’
