Fairtrade volunteers delighted with BEM for their colleague

Monday 03 January 2022

Fairtrade Guernsey hailed Steve Mauger as "the driving force" behind the local movement after he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year's Honours List.

Mr Mauger was a founding member of Fairtrade Guernsey. He was instrumental in the island becoming officially accredited as a 'Fairtrade Island' in 2006 after working with supportive deputies who secured States' support for Fairtrade principles.

Sean McManus, who chairs the Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group, said that Mr Mauger was "a most deserving recipient of the prestigious British Empire Medal".

“Typifying the whole notion of 'Guernsey Together' and extending it to include those whose lives can only benefit from the operation of the Fairtrade principles epitomised by a Fairtrade Island, our community can be justifiably proud of Steve Mauger," said Mr McManus.

“Steve is an altruistic, self-effacing and incredibly conscientious man who works tirelessly on behalf of those in less fortunate communities than ours.

"Steve's sense of fairness has led him to put consideration for others at the centre of his unstinting support for wider social and economic justice and the Fairtrade movement has benefitted immeasurably from his contribution.”

Pictured: Sean McManus, left, Chairman of the Fairtrade Guernsey Steering Group, said that his colleague, Steve Mauger, who has been awarded the BEM, typified the ethos of 'Guernsey Together'. In 2006, then Deputy Mike Torode, top right, worked with Mr Mauger and other volunteers to secure States' support for Fairtrade principles and Guernsey received recognition as a Fairtrade Island, bottom right. 

Since achieving official accreditation as a Fairtrade Island in 2006, Guernsey has secured reaccreditation every two years, most recently in March 2020.

The Steering Group said "this status is an important badge of Guernsey’s ethical credentials on the international stage".

Although Mr Mauger retired as Secretary of Fairtrade Guernsey in 2019, his successor, Hannah Davis, said he remains a dedicated volunteer and supporter.

“Steve is the kind of person who will step in where no one else will—whether that’s becoming Chair of the Fairtrade Steering Group to get it off the ground or wearing a banana costume to promote Fairtrade at local events—and always with a smile," said Ms Davis.

"After all he’s done, he could expect to take a rest at Fairtrade Steering Group meetings, but instead he is always the person who will make you a cup of Fairtrade tea and a biscuit and who tidies away at the end.”

Mr Mauger will receive his British Empire Medal locally and will be invited to a garden party at Buckingham Palace to celebrate his award with others on the New Year's Honours List.