Lieutenant Governor gives special thanks to helpers of the vulnerable

Tuesday 25 December 2018

From hospital staff to carers, support workers and charity fundraisers, the Lieutenant Governor has extended a special thanks to those who help the needy in his Christmas message this year.

The words of gratitude came in Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton's annual greeting, which you can read in full below...

“As we reflect over Christmas on the events of 2018, I wonder what will be in most peoples’ minds? For many it will be the joy and comfort of sharing time with families and friends; for some it will be events here in Jersey; for others it will be the effects of changing circumstances in the UK and around the world; and for some it will be the daily strive to bring up their children and to provide for them.

Whatever your thoughts, Christmas gives us the chance to reconsider our futures and to talk with family and friends about how to improve our lives and of those around us. Once again this year, I will be reflecting on the magnificent contributions that so many Jersey people have made to the needs of others and to the effort that they have put into raising money for the wide range of charities here in Jersey.

Pictured: Sir Stephen on a visit to Les Amis, which supports islanders with learning disabilities.

Every day, I hear of great work that our charities have done to try and ease the suffering and needs of many Islanders. I hear about the care and comfort that our hospital staff provide to people in real need. I reflect upon the work of so many groups who are intent on providing support to people and families in need of respite and help – and especially at this time of the year, we should all be aware of those who are on their own and despite their outward demeanour, just see if we can include that neighbour or colleague who might otherwise be alone or lonely this Christmas.

To all of you I would like to send an enormous ‘thank you’. Thank you for your commitment, your time and your imagination for some of the events that you organise and thank you for the spirit of human kindness that you exhibit out of pure compassion for other people.

I am consistently amazed at the energy and ability of so many very busy people to find the time, energy and will to commit themselves to doing such outstanding work for others. I am also delighted when such commitment and outstanding service to our society is recognised by Her Majesty The Queen in Her Birthday and New Years’ Honours Announcements.

Pictured: Sir Stephen said that those who look after the vulnerable embody "the spirit of human kindness".

Such recognition, I know, brings great pride and sense of achievement to so many people and to the whole of the organisations for whom or with whom the individuals work.  This is most often seen in the charitable sector, when a life-long volunteer, fund raiser or chief executive is awarded a State Honour; but it is also true for people who are recognised for their outstanding contribution to improving our understanding of how to combat an ailment or our appreciation of what we can and should be doing to protect our community and environment.

If you know somebody, who has done outstanding work in any of these fields then please get in touch with my office or look on our websiteand see if you can nominate that person for an award. There is a lot of advice on the site and providing the case can be supported with evidence and example, then I would encourage anybody to consider nominating such individuals – they deserve the time it will take to write a few lines of nomination.

So, this Christmas, it is entirely appropriate that we look forward as well as back. The year ahead promises to be challenging and demanding, but also exciting and invigorating. We are very lucky to live on the beautiful Island of Jersey and, yes, I know that the weather sometimes impacts on flights and ferry journeys – but, we have a great deal to thank God for here in Jersey.

Pictured: Sir Stephen urged islanders to take steps to protect the island's natural beauty.

We need to consider what we can do, in which ways we can contribute to improving life here and to sustaining and protecting our environment. Whilst the effects of global warming are, of course, international, we can do much to protect the local environment and continue to make Jersey, the Island where people really enjoy living  and where visitors come and go, wishing that they can come back and enjoy the beauty of the landscape and coastline.

We can also look further forward to 2020 and using the celebrations of 75 years of freedom and deliverance from occupation as a catalyst for making Jersey a brighter beacon to which people and visitors are attracted and for broadening the appeal of our Island as not just a great holiday destination, but also a centre of art, sport and culture.

Anne and I wish all of you a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful, successful and enjoyable New Year.”