Paul Le Boutillier, chairman of Methodist Homes for the Aged (Guernsey) showing the Arjo bath it bought with money from the Channel Islands Lottery. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0768872)

CHARITIES are reaping the benefit of last year’s Christmas Lottery.

The Association of Guernsey Charities is sharing out £147,454.71 between 26 local groups.

Treasurer Malcolm Woodhams said he was really pleased with the amount that had been raised.

‘These grants make such a difference to charities, especially in these difficult financial times. Every penny that we are giving goes to help local projects.’

Charities were able to apply for a share of the money to help with their projects or just to supplement running costs.

This year, Channel Islands Air Search was able to buy new pagers for the crew, Friends of the Priaulx Library were able to install disabled facilities and the Guernsey Sailing Trust managed to buy new buoyancy aids for young sailors.

One of the charities that has benefited is the Methodist Homes for the Aged (Guernsey). Chairman Paul Le Boutillier put its £7,400 towards a specialist Arjo bath for Maison de Quetteville, which is in the final stages of construction.