Girlguiding stalwarts to attend VIP event in London's West End

Sunday 29 September 2024

Three local Girlguiding volunteers are set to attend a red carpet event in London this weekend to celebrate their longstanding commitment to the organisation.

Solange Rebours, Hilary Hardy and Helen Barette will join hundreds of fellow guides at Girlguiding Celebrates, an evening which aims to honour award-winning volunteers from across the UK.

Solange is one of just a handful of people nominated for a Silver Fish award – Girlguiding's highest honour for exceptional service.

She has held roles including Island Commissioner for Jersey, and Chief Commissioner for Girlguiding South West England.

Pictured: Hilary (left) and Solange (right) will be attending the VIP event in Leicester Square on Sunday.

"The Silver Fish award came as a tremendous, but pleasant, surprise to me," said Solange.

"I, like so many others, do not volunteer for guiding to gain any personal recognition. I do it because I want to make a difference to the lives of girls and young women on my island and the wider guiding family."

She added: "I feel that this award is a testament to the various teams that I have been privileged to be part of and the many people who have been prepared to work with me so that we can achieve so much for our members, both now and in the future.” 

Meanwhile Hilary, who has been a Girlguiding member since she was seven years old, is nominated for a Laurel Award.

“I am very much looking forward to attending the event,” she said.

“To share it with other members of Girlguiding, all who have given so much to our girls and volunteers, will be exceptionally special.” 

As the current President of Girlguiding Jersey and Regional Vice President for Girlguiding South West England, Hilary explained that the organisation has played a "huge part" in her life.

She said: “Girlguiding has played a huge part in my life: as a girl, as a leader, as a mother of three daughters, all of whom have been members, and now as a grandmother.

“It has given me so much fun and friendship, but more than that it has given me opportunities, life skills, travel opportunities and challenges that I hope I have been able to share with both the girls and fellow volunteers, especially in Jersey, and encourage them to do likewise.” 

Helen, the current Island Commissioner and Deputy Chief Commissioner for Girlguiding South West England, was also invited after organising a stage show involving local guides.

Pictured: Helen was invited for her efforts organising the Jersey Girlguiding production of 'Peter Pan Jr'.

She said: “I am really looking forward to attending Girlguiding Celebrates and coming together to celebrate with members from across the country, but especially to share the occasion with Hilary and Solange who have been a great support to me during my time as Island Commissioner.

“Girlguiding is a big part of my life. Whether at unit, island and region level it seems that the more I put into Guiding the more opportunities experiences and new friendships I gain and I know that there are many more adventures out there waiting for me.“