This Is Guernsey

ISLANDERS got into the Big Kids’ Day spirit yesterday. Businesses and schools around staged events to raise money for the Help a Guernsey Child charity.

L’Ancresse Stores was transformed into Treasure Island with staff dressed as pirates.

Customers were encouraged to make donations, goody bags were given away and the staff went around Town in the evening with buckets to collect more money.

‘We celebrated the event last year and thought of doing something a little bit different this time round,’ said owner Paul Cataroche.

‘We thought of a few things and this was the one that seemed like a good idea. The staff love it. They enjoy dressing up and the customers like it as well. Last year we raised £364 and we are hoping for more.’

St Peter Port School were also taking part with students and teachers dressed as TV and film characters. The majority of the students got into the spirit, with Barbies, animals and celebrities spotted around the school.

History teacher Chris Murphy took part, dressing as an American GI.

‘We’ve done it before but not to this extent that I know of.

‘This is probably the biggest the school has done.

‘It’s a good local cause. It’s good to have a local charity and something that the kids can relate to.

‘We did a sponsored walk just before the school holidays and raised over £2,000 for Help a Guernsey Child. Today we’re having a fashion show and a tombola.

‘We are hoping to be one of the biggest contributors this year.

‘We are looking at £2,750 overall, raised by 268 kids.’

Island FM’s Rob Moore had a go at pizza making at La Plage with the help of chef Dino Lacenere.

He admitted that he was not much of a cook, but was looking forward to it. Originally it was the chef’s idea after listening to Island FM talking about raising money for charity.

‘I rang them up and said I had an idea. I wanted to donate everything that comes in on the pizzas.

‘It’s a nice thing to do to get involved. I really want to do something to get involved with Guernsey a little bit more.

‘I am hoping to raise five, six or seven hundred pounds. I’m just going to see how it goes and I’ll be putting in my money at the end of the day.’

Mr Moore made a total of three original pizzas, created especially by Mr Lacenare and took one back to the Island Fm headquarters for his colleagues to sample.

Article posted on 29th September, 2007 - 12.00am