ONE of the most pleasing things we, as a newspaper, have been able to do is play an active part in launching Maison Million, the ambitious project to help raise £1m. towards a much-needed specialist Alzheimer’s and dementia care facility.

It was even more gratifying to be able to report this week that not only has an exceptionally challenging target been reached, it has been exceeded.

That it has is entirely down to the generosity of islanders, businesses and other organisations who saw the need for the unit and who were prepared to work, raise funds and donate for a very worthy cause.

There were times when we wondered whether £1m. was simply too big an ask.

After all, there are other very worthy causes and Maison Million also coincided with Les Bourgs Hospice’s own appeal, which many rightly wanted to help.

That the 29-bed Maison de Quetteville facility is now built and shortly to be opened says much about the generosity and spirit of those who made it happen. It also, sadly, is a reflection of how many have been touched directly and indirectly by dementia.

Only those so affected can truly know the benefits that the right facilities bring. Guernsey is fortunate that it has good amenities in the private and public sectors – but just not enough of them, as Maison de Quetteville’s ‘expressions of interest’ list of possible residents indicates.

Meeting the target this week was possible thanks to the remarkable generosity of BWCI, celebrating 30 years in Guernsey, and willing and able to provide the final £85,000 to bring the appeal to a close.

Nevertheless, as last night’s Institute of Directors’ conference brought home, Guernsey exists in an uncertain world and it is its success to date that helps generosity to flourish.

Maison de Quetteville reminds us that looking after the economic health of the island is as much a priority as the health of its citizens.

If we continue to get that right then we have much to be confident about in the future.

In the meantime, a heartfelt thanks to everyone who made Maison Million happen.