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The Jersey fundraising branch of Guide Dogs for the Blind has now raised more than £500,000 for the charity entirely by selling books - a major milestone that was passed on Saturday at their latest sale at St Ouen’s Parish Hall.
The achievement is the result of dedicated teamwork over nearly three decades. The first sale of second-hand books took place 27 years ago after Chairman Ken Syvret suggested the fundraiser. It has been a popular event nearly every year since then and the October ‘Biggest’ Book Sale is now the highlight of the team’s calendar, with upward of 20,000 titles for sale, including paperback novels, children’s books, rare items and reference books covering every subject from art to travel.
‘It really was absolutely incredible to reach this milestone. Thousands of people have been involved over the years, many donating their books and many more coming to buy them. We have been very lucky to have such support from the community and help from a team of loyal volunteers,’ said Ken Syvret MBE, the Chairman of the Jersey Branch of Guide Dogs.
Saturday’s sale, which focussed on Channel Islands books, art and children’s books, raised £4,240. During the morning Mr Syvret stopped the sale to announce to everyone that the significant moment had been reached.
The proceeds from the sale go straight to training Guide Dogs and meeting the costs of providing a person with a dog, which is now more than £50,000 for the life of the animal. There are currently two working dogs in Jersey (although the number has been as high as 8 at one time). A puppy is also in training here and there are four ambassador dogs living in Jersey. A number of people are currently waiting to be matched with dogs.
Mr Syvret added: ‘Running the book sales has been a lovely exercise in so many ways. I have met so many lovely people who have a story about why they are donating books or looking for a particular book that means something special to them. Some people come to meet the dogs, some because they like the recycling element. Many come because they simply love books and want to lose themselves for a while at the sale in the hope of unearthing a bargain or a small treasure among the many books we have on sale.’
Guide Dogs Jersey would like to extend particular thanks to the teams at St Ouen’s Parish Hall and Albert Bartlett, both of which provide invaluable support and allow the charity to use the venues free of charge.
The next book sale is the annual ‘Biggest’ Book Sale, which takes place at Albert Bartlett on Trinity Hill on 22nd and 23rd October.
The £0.5 million raised is only through bookstalls and does not include other fundraising amounts since Mr Syvret, now 84, joined the Jersey Guide Dogs Committee as a young man of 19 or 20. His long service was recently recognised by the national Guide Dogs organisation in the UK.
For more details please contact Ken Syvret MBE on 481043 or kwsyvret@gmail.com
