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Local Freemasons and Directors of Autism Guernsey Worshipful Brothers, Jerry Girard, Dr Nick King and Andrew Sparks joined forces with the GSPCA Manager and a Brother Steve Byrne, to raise badly needed funds for both charities by offering sponsorship of 60 handcrafted puffins which were individually painted by artists, school children, community groups and companies from across the island.
At the launch of the Puffin Parade back in April they were then invited to Government House where Mrs Cripwell who is the Patron of Autism Guernsey and the Lieutenant Governor Richard Cripwell CB, CBE who is the Patron of the GSPCA hosted the launch of the Puffin Parade by unveiling one of the beautifully painted puffins.
Lieutenant Governor Richard Cripwell quoted, “We are now officially in Puffin arrival month as the real birds start to nest along our incredible coast line it was so nice to meet so many of the sponsors and artists and for the first Puffin to be unveiled. This morning the last few Puffins arrive at their locations and it is wonderful to see it all coming together.”
The GSPCA, supported by volunteers from Guernsey Freemasons (and many others), then ensured that the 60 puffins were located in local businesses, schools, churches, local visitor attractions and restaurants throughout the island, with one located in the neighbouring island of Herm.
The children and islanders of the Bailiwick of Guernsey as well as the many visitors were then invited to enter a competition which involved spotting all puffins on the parade with the assistance of a specially created application allowing the whole community to get involved. The twelve most popular puffins will also be captured in a 2024 diary to celebrate the popular event and raise additional funds.
Tuesday 12th September the puffin auction took place! All sixty were on display at the largest hotel on the island where businesses and individuals were able to bid for their particular favourite.
Auctioneer and local BBC Guernsey presenter John Randal held the gavel for the evening and managed to raise an incredible amount for each puffin.
Andrew Sparks Director of Autism Guernsey said “The whole event demonstrated the intrinsic links between freemasonry, charity and working together in supporting the island community in order to raise ..... wait for it..... £98,400! For two deserving charities.”
“An amazing some on Money raised for charity we are so proud!”
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said “The Puffin Parade was an 18 month project and event from start to finish and we really couldn’t be happier with how incredibly well it went.”
“From the hundreds of people involved to put it all together, sponsors, artists and so many more there are so many thanks to make.”
“A special thanks to the many Brethren from the Guernsey Freemasons who helped in so many ways from moving Puffins to where they needed to be, sponsoring some of them, , making the website, hosting them in a number of places and especially on the auction night which raised an amazing £98,400.”
“The fun continues as many of the Puffins are around Guernsey in new locations so the Puffin parade lives on and thank you to everyone that made it such a special event in our 150th year and Autism Guernsey’s 10th year.”
“You can still donate to the Puffin Parade and we are planning a calendar of the Puffins so more to come.”
“Again a huge thanks to everyone involved and supported such an amazing event in what is our 150th year at the GSPCA.”
"All this year we are celebrating 150 years and there are many ways to get involved - https://www.gspca.org.gg/page/gspca-celebrating-150-year ."
For those wanting to donate still to the event and the two charities please visit https://giving.gg/donate/event/9201/Puffin-Parade
To see all the details about the event please visit https://puffinparade.org.gg/
