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Islanders have raised over £1,000 for a local homeless man, after he was fined for cashing in a lottery ticket he found on the street in July.
John Michael Le Blancq’s (58) luck ran out last Wednesday when he was charged with the theft of a scratchcard – worth £200 – at the Magistrate's Court.
The Jersey Shelter Trust resident, who had already used the prize money to book a one-way ticket to Portsmouth, was subsequently ordered to pay back the winnings to the owner of the scratchcard and an additional £100 fine.
Having heard the news, co-owner of Physique Transformations Cameron Elliott (23) launched an emotional plea on Facebook, offering to cover the costs of the fine:
“How could someone possibly take him to court for this? I would like to pay his fine for him… Whilst you’re probably spending Christmas with your partner/family in a warm home with lots of tasty food this guys [sic] on the street somewhere with nothing.”
The post quickly drew the attention of over 200 Islanders – many of whom branded the court order as “disgusting” and “unfair”.
Among those outraged was Romerils employee Kylie-Anne Ware, who set up a JustGiving crowdfunding page in response, encouraging locals to “donate some pennies… to help this man pay for his fine or food vouchers for him.”
Speaking to Express, she commented: “I was very upset and felt I wanted to try and help any way possible. How could anyone not want to help this man?”
Donations flooded in, with the total now standing at £1,020 after just four days – over five times the original £200 target.
Ms Ware and Mr Elliott visited the Viscount’s Department yesterday afternoon to clear Le Blancq’s fine. Given the initiative’s “unbelievable” success, however, a considerable excess still remains, which the pair now plan to donate to the Jersey Shelter Trust.
“With the money left over, we believe giving the homeless a nicer Christmas is the best thing to do, maybe a better dinner on Christmas Day,” Mr Elliott told Express.
“I’ve always been taught to give before I take, especially to those that need it most… Knowing I’ve contributed to helping someone whilst sitting with my family on Christmas Day would make me feel a lot better than knowing someone with nothing is out there worrying about a fine that should never have been ordered in the first place!”
Praising Islanders for digging into their pockets “at this hard time of year”, Ms Ware said that she was “touched that we have so many kind and generous people.”
“We really do live on an island with such a supportive and warm-hearted community,” Mr Elliott added.
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