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Funeral director Paul Battrick puts helping others, and giving back to the community, at the top of his list of what he would change about Jersey.
Responsible for launching the campaign to start the Jersey Lifeboat Association and working closely with charity Les Amis, Paul tries to put others before himself.
He works for Pitcher and Le Quesne funeral directors, and this week helped organise a memorial service for Frank Le Villio, a teenage islander who was sent to infamous concentration camp Bergen Belsen after taking a ride on a German officer's motorbike during the Occupation.
Pictured: Frank Le Villio was honoured in a service arranged by Pitcher & Le Quesne this week.
He was just one of two British people to survive the notorious camp, but sadly died aged 21 upon his return. After a long campaign to return his body home, he was finally buried in his island home this week, 71 years after passing away.
In between a busy schedule this week, Paul managed to draw up a list of five things he would like to change about the island, which he shared with Express...
This charity needs the full support of the island, for which I am fortunate enough to be on the board of directors. It is intended to build a new care home in 2019, which is something very much needed for the residents.
Pictured: Paul believes its time for people to offer a helping hand and get behind the charity as much as possible.
It is considered that adults with complex needs are likely to develop dementia much earlier in their lives. A new unit is absolutely crucial, so I hope that islanders will support the charity by buying a ticket for their camper van draw. And on that note...
It would be a fantastic opportunity to see dedicated areas in Jersey made available for motor camping for up to two nights at a time.
Pictured: Le Port car park in St. Ouen's Bay is currently a hotspot for campers, but has drawn criticism from some over litter and alleged anti-social behaviour.
This could also be a great revenue-maker for parishes and help to promote our tourism. The majority of motor-homers are sensible people who care about the environment.
It’s my view that all plastic straws should be banned, along with plastic cups from nearby beach cafes, and coastlines.
Pictured: Beach cleans like this one are becoming a common occurrence as people continue to leave their plastic litter on the Islands beaches. Paul would like to see more education on the environment to combat this.
More bins should be provided, with visual signs depicting graphic images of what happens to these mammals and sea birds once they have ingested such items, similar to that on the back of cigarette packets. It may make people think twice. It’s everyone’s responsibility.
The government needs to sit up and listen to the nurses and doctors, who are the backbone of the General Hospital and build a new one in the best place for the island.
Pictured: Numerous potential plans and ideas have been drawn up for a new hospital, but its final location still remains in question.
We are throwing away money like confetti. In my view, this is far from acceptable.
I would like to see more parking available at the crematorium.
Pictured: The crematorium has little parking available and people have to resort to parking on the road when the limited spaces are full.
It would also be good to have more access to streaming services, and screens for slide shows, which are becoming ever increasingly popular these days.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and not of Bailiwick Express.
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