22 charities celebrating good news

Friday 17 January 2020

More than 20 charities have been chosen to receive funds raised by one of the Bailiwick's biggest annual fundraising events.

The 2020 Saffery Rotary Walk will see money go to 22 good causes, funding projects and purchases to benefit the wider community.

Simon Milsted, Chair of the Walk’s organising committee, said: “As always there are some very worthwhile charity projects in the mix to receive funding. It’s already shaping up to be a very exciting year.

“Every year we rely on the generosity, courage and enthusiasm of all the people taking part and generating sponsorship to help raise money and I hope that the community can continue to benefit from efforts this year too. The Walk has really become a very special tradition and I very much look forward to trying to make this a record-breaking year.”

Pictured: The 2019 Saffery Rotary Walk. 

This is the seventh year that headline sponsor Saffery Champness has supported the Walk. 

Lisa Vizia, Director at Saffery Champness and member of the organising committee, said: “The Walk’s organising committee is made up of representatives from the Rotary Clubs and Saffery Champness and every year we have the difficult task of selecting the projects from all the charity applications we receive.

“It's always overwhelming to see how many incredible charities there are on the island, which makes choosing projects extremely hard. We aim to support as many projects as possible and try to ensure that the ones we select reflect a diverse slice of island life.”

Saffery Rotary Walk registration is open now. Individual walkers who register by 31 January will pay a discounted price of £20, after which the regular registration fee will be £25.

Walkers can also take part as a relay team with a maximum of seven people in each team. The early-bird price of £105 for team registration will be available until 31 January, after which the regular team registration fee will be £140.

The 2020 Saffery Rotary Walk takes place on Saturday 6 June. Anyone who wishes to sign up can register by going to the event’s website.

The charity projects selected for 2020 funding are:

• 3rd Guernsey Scout Group – new tents for Scout camp
• ACTIVE – funding for room hire
• Edible Guernsey – create 40 raised beds to double the size of the growing area
• Guernsey Sports Commission – introduce Adult Safeguarding into Guernsey sport
• Guernsey Senior Citizens Association – replacing the Bingo machine, games and books
• Guernsey Swimming Club – back-stroke start block wedges
• Guernsey Welfare Service – new storage space
• Guernsey Voluntary Service – a new chair hoist for their new mini-bus
• Guernsey Marlins Special – to take special needs young people and adults to competitions in Jersey
• Guernsey Victim Support and Witness Service – to send a team member to the UK’s ‘The Victims Strategy Conference, Effectively and Sensitively Supporting Victims of Crime.
• Guernsey Bereavement Services – provide new tablets for volunteers
• Guernsey Multiple Myeloma Support – to provide continued education for health professionals
• Health Connections – to launch a Talking Café project which will include 13 local cafes over the next two years
• Headway Guernsey – updated leaflets and booklets for their awareness campaign
• Humankind – training for a new Independent Domestic Violence Advisor
• Home-Start Guernsey – a selection of toys, games and craft materials including cleaning and sanitary products
• In-Dependence – an alcohol breathalyser to help with the introduction of alcohol testing
• Les Bourgs Hospice – filming a virtual tour with narrative from nurses and volunteers that will be useful for future patients, relatives, staff and volunteers
• Relate – upgrading facilities, including new lighting and heating
• St Martin’s Primary School PTA – a tranquillity corner for the After-School Club
• The Set Sail Trust – funding for families to spend a weekend in the Herm Cottages and to take part in a range of nautical and outdoor activities
• The Boy’s Brigade Guernsey Battalion – funding for new jackets