Islanders are being asked to give even more generously to the Appeal this year
MORE families than ever are in need of help this Christmas, according to the chairman of the Joint Charities Christmas Appeal.
It is estimated that more than 1,500 families in the Island will need some sort of help this festive season and many have already begun contacting the charity for help.
And to compound the situation, businesses and donors are tightening their purse strings and giving less to charity, meaning that the appeal has an uphill struggle on its hands this year.
Edward Trevor, who took over the reins from Jean Dale, said that the charity had already sent out 1,000 letters to business and individuals asking them for donations to help buy grocery vouchers and hampers for those in need.
The target for the appeal is £120,000 and despite the difficulties, Mr Trevor is hoping to raise it. ‘It is going to be a very, very difficult target to reach and as it is more than we have tried to raise in the past. But we are going to need extra money this year because of the economic situation and more people need our help.’
Article posted on 9th November, 2009 - 3.00pm
10 Article Comments
Sorry, but as they say “charity begins at home”, i will be looking out for me and mine, the States created the problem let them help people out!!!
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With Jersey just about to go into the worst recession since the 1930’s, what does the good old government do? Bring in GST.
So now we have a tax on a tax. As we are already paying VAT, in all but name, we now have the added pleasure of a short term GST level of 3% before it goes up to 10% and more. No wonder people are struggling to pay their bills over here.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the finance minister cranks up the pain a bit more in the next year or so by raising GST.
As far as I am concerned there were fairer ways around this issue but he didn’t want to upset big business or the richest in our society.
As per a good example of what I said they should do, take the cap off of social security so everyone pays 6%. Not rocket science but it would have made a big difference to the poorest in our society and average earners, and minimal difference to the richest members, who wouldn’t have even noticed it. It also would have been a lot less time and manpower consuming to implement and run.
Since we are now in a recession I can’t see businesses wanting, or being able to fund these good causes. It wouldn’t surprise me if the good old tax payer once again has to step into the breach.
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the split between, rich and poor has got a bit wider.
” you can stretch a rubber band many times, but in the end it snaps”
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Why do 1,500 families in the Island need some sort of help this festive season? Can somebody please provide the details!
Grocery vouchers and hampers?
Is this a 3rd world country or are expectations too high? Try Hugo Chavez – he will be more than happy to help.
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Ecclesiasticus 44, vv 1-5 proclaims, “Let us now praise famous men”.
One Jersey man, Mr David Kirch, is wealthy – but not famous. This is not unusual in Jersey society, one might say.
Nevertheless, David Kirch rises above all the other millionaires who live among us.
Every December, without fail, he has offered an outright gift of £100 in vouchers to each citizen of this island over the age of 70 years. To this, he will add a further gift of £5 in February 2010.
Mr Kirch has intimated that he will do the same this year, in spite of the poor economic conditions that prevail here and all over the world.
By this enormous act of generosity David Kirch is making a tangible contribution to the welfare of our older folks – in some cases making the make or break difference in whether or not they will have festive food on their tables on Christmas Day.
Well done, sir!
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Agree with Mike(4) above.
Help with heating bills and the like I can understand. As for food, the last time I checked, incomes didn’t mysteriously drop off over the festive season, so there should be just as much money for food as at any other time! Or is it simply that money that should be going on essentials is being spent on other things? If so, I hope there’s some common sense being applied when it comes to identifying the genuinely needy. I won’t hold my breath.
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Non of the people who question poverty in Jersey have the slightest idea. I spend my life raising money for (among other things) third world aids victims (children) I have visited households in jersey whose poverty has shocked me to the core. I took a volunteer young person with an average education with me once and he couldn’t cope with what he saw. He just stood there shaking. Jersey has some desperate needs and they need adressing by each one of us.
Incidently “charity begins at home” is a saying not found in any religious (or non religious) book of wisdom. It is the bleating cry of the mean in spirit. I prefer “to whom much is given much is expected”. Jersey has one of the wealthiest economies in the world and needs to give on all fronts. there is no limit to a generous spirit.
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The sad fact is people are all suffering at the hands of this misguided government, can I just add from all of us who were against GST in the first place. WE TOLD YOU SO. all the people who signed the petition and stood in the royal square we were the common people who knew this tax was bad, yet so called educated people of power ignored us, now look we have poverty, businesses closing down and recession, your greed and waste is creating bad karma for the island, Time to stop worrying about other communities in the western world and fix our own.
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Gerry B #7
“I spend my life raising money”,
I assume you are not paid for this, or are you ?
To compare the plight of third world aids victims with the state of the poor in Jersey is ludicrous.
Jerseys poor has “free” first class medical available.
Jersey has a benefit system in place that gives free or subsidised housing and handouts to those incapable of(and in some case not wanting) work.
If there are any poor in jersey whose situation could cause “he couldn’t cope with what he saw” I suggest you raise money to give him a backbone, or bring their plight to the relevant authorities. Because if its not self inflicted they will be adequately and compassionately looked after by dedicated people.
On top of this “charity begins at home” Jersey has an overseas aid budget.
This is obligatory giving to charities by the people of Jersey, on top of what they freely give to causes of their choice.
It will never be enough, Just be thankful for what we can and do give away.
“to whom much is given much is expected” could well describe many charity money raisers.
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You make your own luck in this world. Work hard and you will always have food on the table and a roof over your head.
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