ISLANDERS have jumped at a chance to make a big difference to two leading local charities. And businesses said yesterday that they, too, would respond to the Final Hour Appeal.
The Guernsey Press Co. announced that it would match whatever its staff of more than 100 donated.
In addition, the entire staff at Wallace Barnaby advertising agency, White Knight Public Relations and CMA Event Management have pledged their final hour’s pay of 2007.
And the Royal Bank of Canada also promised to match what its staff raised.
The Guernsey Press announced the Final Hour Appeal on Tuesday to help raise funds for two vital local projects: the Maison Million Home Appeal and the Les Bourgs Hospice redevelopment.
The home appeal was launched by the newspaper in April to raise the £1m. needed for building work to start on the new 29-bed dementia and Alzheimer’s care unit that will be connected to Maison L’Aumone.
Les Bourgs Hospice launched its £1m. fund-raising campaign in August for the total redevelopment of Andrew Mitchell House.
‘We hope to have as near to 100% of our staff donating their final hour’s pay of 2007 to the appeal as possible,’ said Guernsey Press general manager Mark Lewis.
‘These two charity projects are excellent causes. We felt that the new dementia and Alzheimer’s care unit would be a tremendous help for people coping with a terrible disease, which is why we launched the Maison Million Home Appeal.
‘Les Bourgs Hospice has helped many islanders come to terms with terminal illness.
‘It is a wonderful organisation that holds a special place in the community.’
Mr Lewis said the appeal was a fantastic way to generate much-needed funds for both.
‘As a company at the heart of the community it is important that we publicise the excellent work going into these charities because the results will benefit the whole island,’ he said.
‘We will support it in any way we can and I would urge other companies to consider doing the same.’
Bruce Wallace, chief executive of the Wallace Barnaby Group, agreed to round up the total of his staff’s pledge to the next thousand pounds.
‘Les Bourgs Hospice and the Maison Million projects will have an impact on all aspects of the community and we are delighted to be able to support them,’ said.
‘As a small island we are all aware of people who have been affected by either dementia or cancer and in some cases both. For islanders to end the year on such a positive note by helping these charities is something we should all commend.’
Melissa Rees, account manager at White Knight, was delighted by her colleagues’ response as she has seen at first hand the effect dementia can have on a family.
‘My grandfather was diagnosed with vascular dementia five years ago,’ she said.
‘I have seen how dedicated care and facilities have made a huge difference to both Papa and my family. I hope this appeal receives the same fantastic response within other companies as I received from my colleagues.’
RBC Guernsey leadership team member Karen Martin said the bank believed in supporting local charities.
‘We also recognise that many of our staff and families have needed support from both charities in the past and will need their assistance in the future, so although we are supporting the community, there is also a very valuable link to the welfare of employees, their families and friends,’ she said.
Deputy Health minister David Grut, pictured below, also backed the campaign yesterday.
‘Both projects are extremely worthwhile and we fully support people giving their last hour’s salary,’ he said.
‘It’s a great idea and I applaud businesses which are pledging to equal the amount their staff raise. The more businesses that take part the better.’
Article posted on 15th November, 2007 - 12.00am
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