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More than 170 individuals and families will receive a Christmas hamper and fuel vouchers this year thanks to the Rotary Club of Guernsey and Rossborough Insurance.
Each year, the Rotarians deliver parcels and fuel vouchers to people who have been identified as in need. They pay for the hampers using proceeds from their flag day, however in recent years, Rotary has covered the cost of the fuel vouchers out of its charitable reserves but this Christmas, Rossborough has stepped in.
"When you see the supermarket car parks full and people leaving shops laden down with career bags to go to warm homes, it can be hard to imagine that there are islanders who, for a variety of reasons won’t be celebrating as so many of us will," said Rotary spokesman Andy Salisbury.
"Each year we deliver hampers and fuel vouchers to try and ensure that everyone in the island has what they need to have a proper meal and are warm. Unfortunately, although we always get an exceptional response from the amazingly generous people in Guernsey, we simply don’t collect enough from the flag days to cover the hampers and fuel vouchers which means dipping into our finances which are earmarked for other projects. Thanks to Rossborough covering the fuel vouchers that financial shortfall will be significantly less this year."
The hampers, which come in two different sizes for individuals and families, contain basic provisions including tinned vegetables, soup and teabags, as well as Christmas foodstuffs such as mince pies and iced fruitcake. Fuel vouchers are given to those who are assessed as needing them so that they can keep warmer than they could otherwise afford.
"We work with different agencies to identify those people who need support and that includes single parents with children, pensioners who have recently come out of hospital and people who have lost partners," said Mr Salisbury.
Ian Stewart, managing director of Rossborough Insurance in Guernsey, said the company was more than happy to help.
He said: "Guernsey is very fortunate to have people like the Rotarians who are willing to give up their time to make sure islanders in need have a happier Christmas and so as a company, if we are able to help them, help others then we are delighted to be able to do so.
"This Christmas, Rossborough wanted to do something for those less fortunate. We have already worked with the Family Partnership Team to give vouchers to 24 youngsters aged 11 – 17 who might otherwise not have received a Christmas present and this additional support to Rotary will hopefully spread some Christmas cheer at a time when it is needed."
