This Is Guernsey

By Joel de Woolfson

Battling on: Local financial service companies pledged to back staff who want to take part in future North Shows as they responded to a call for help from the Bailiff. At yesterday’s successful show yesterday, Meredith-Ann and Elise-May Jee, pictured, were just pleased to get the chance to dress up. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0626778)

BIG businesses have pledged to back staff who want to help with community events such as the North Show and the Battle of Flowers.
Several large companies said yesterday that they were always keen to support such events.
Nina Driscoll, marketing manager at Ernst & Young, said it offered employees 15 hours of company time a year to volunteer for local charities or events.
‘If our employees wanted to go and help at the North Show we would very much support them,’ she said. ‘We try not to force them into anything but they have this entitlement so they can support things that are close to their hearts. We want them to get involved and help out in the community.’
She was commenting after the Bailiff, Geoffrey Rowland, said the event needed more backing from the business community.
Speaking on the first day of the show, he said all kinds of help was needed, from financial support to manpower and entrants into the competitions.
But sponsorship alone, while incredibly helpful, should not be the end of big business involvement.
‘Should financial institutions and other big companies be encouraged to provide not only manpower and finance, but also entries into the numerous floral classes?’ he asked.
‘Surely it would be a great team-building exercise and an opportunity for companies to demonstrate that they are proud to play their part in the major grass-roots events.’
However, his comments were regarded in some quarters as critical and the Guernsey International Business Association said that more than £2m. a year was given to island events.
Giba chairman Steve Le Page also said companies were happy to offer other kind of support.
‘Many finance sector organisations support community initiatives by giving their staff time off to help with various projects.’
‘This isn’t a monetary donation, of course, but it is a very valuable contribution to make,’ he said.
Mr Rowland later said his comments had been intended to provoke debate in order to ensure the work of North Show officials wasn’t taken for granted.
‘I was not ignoring the immense contribution of financial service sector institutions and other major companies across a range of community activities.’
‘But our shows need extra support to ensure that they survive and prosper,’ he said.
Jo Seal, from Collas Day’s sports and social committee, said the company tried to encourage employees to get involved in community events whenever possible.
‘Events like the shows are fun to be part of and whenever staff want to be involved, the committee, with the firm’s backing, fully supports them.’
Nick Dorey, North Show president, said yesterday that the thousands of people attending demonstrated how popular it was.
‘On the face of it there seem to be an awful lot of people here,’ he said. ‘But it does not mean we are going to make a lot of money, because I’m sure we won’t.’

Article posted on 22nd August, 2008 - 2.30pm