ISLANDERS who routinely go above and beyond to make a positive difference to the community had their time in the spotlight as the 2024 Pride of Jersey awards were presented last night.
Hundreds gathered at Albert Bartlett’s headquarters on Trinity Hill to hail the contributions of all those nominated across 14 different categories.
JEP editor Andy Sibcy told the audience: “Every year, I stand here and, with absolute sincerity, say that this is my favourite night of the year as editor of the JEP. It really is.
“It is not just because this awards ceremony evokes such life-affirming and unencumbered emotion, a pure tonic that enables us to see the very best in people.”
Addressing “a room full of good eggs”, a phrase he said was often used by the late Simon Boas, Mr Sibcy added: “Tonight, we can shut out the noise and focus on some of the many people who make this such an amazing place to live. We will hear stories about true community leaders, heroes who inspire us all to be better.”
Simon Boas, the former Jersey Overseas Aid chief executive who died from throat cancer at the age of 47, was named as the posthumous recipient of the Gary Burgess Award, which was set up in memory of the late journalist to recognise Islanders who stood out as beacons of the community and for bringing people together in times of adversity.
Mr Boas’s inspirational writings in the face of his terminal diagnosis, which were featured in the JEP – and will be reprinted in tomorrow’s edition – have since been turned into a book, A Beginner’s Guide to Dying.
Yesterday evening, John Cornwall was named Ambassador of the Year for his work with young Islanders at the Jersey Youth Service. JJ Gallagher and his dog, Sammie, were the recipients of the Angel of the Year award for their commitment to finding missing dogs in all hours and all weather conditions.
Child of the Year was awarded to Hallie-Rose Gray (8) for her determination in being the youngest person to finish the challenging South Coast charity Challenge unassisted, while a nurse and volunteer in the Emergency Department, Isobel Hamon, was named Community Champion of the Year for her efforts training “numerous” students, nurses and doctors.
Cyrus Asievukwa, a chef at Jersey Joe’s Diner in the Merton Hotel with an “infectious smile”, was named Customer Service Employee of the Year and ocean therapy charity Healing Waves received the Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year award.
Nadja Lane was announced as Environmentalist of the Year for her sustainably-focused passions, including helping to draft policy for the Carbon Neutral Roadmap, and Julie Nerac was named Grandparent of the Year for being a “real-life Mary Poppins” to her autistic grandson.
Grace Crake, for using her time to inspire the next generation of Jersey’s farming community, received the Inspirational Leader title and James Cunningham, of James’ Ark, received the Mental Health Champion of the Year award for advocating for men’s mental health.
Following her work supporting her nominator after her home was damaged in Storm Ciarán, Martine Le Guilcher won the Neighbour of the Year award
Beaulieu teacher Leah Holliday was named Teacher of the Year for how she encourages her students to achieve the “absolute best”.
Sarah Burns was recognised as Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year for raising money for a different charity every year since 2012 and Antonia Rubio picked up the Young Ambassador of the Year award for the way she connected with thousands of people while documenting her journey after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year.
Meanwhile, colorectal and stoma care nurse Cate Goode, a finalist in the Angel of the Year category, was the recipient of a “special recognition award” for her work caring for her nominator and All Island Media employee Melinda Tidy.
Jersey Post acted as headline sponsor for the event, which was co-hosted by singer Georgi Mottram and consumer expert Carl Walker, a former JEP deputy editor who helped to create the Pride of Jersey Awards back in 2015.
