Winners of inaugural ‘Cream Tea Awards’ revealed

Sunday 17 June 2018

Four ‘Cream Tea for Jersey Childcare Trust' hosts have been recognised in the inaugural awards, presented during a Champagne Cream Tea for JCCT event at Government House .

The charity’s fundraising and awareness event, 'Cream Tea for JCCT' was launched last year and raised £18,000 in its first year.

Cream Teas took place in homes, schools and businesses across the Island and the Awards aimed to recognise "the incredible events that were created to raise vital funds so that the charity can help more children." 

The winners were announced as part of a reception celebrating the charity’s 20th anniversary of putting families first which saw 80 guests hosted by His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and the charity’s Patron, Lady Dalton.

The winners were:

• Best School - St George’s Preparatory School
  They hosted a whole school Cream Tea run by parents, teachers and students on the lawns of the school, raising £27Best Individual Host - joint winners: Yolanda Saez Castello and Penny Byrne 
• They ran a Cream Tea Drop in Dayat one of their homes, raising £1,120.
• Best Corporate - HSBC  
• They held a Bankers’ Bake Off with three Senior Executives baking scones in front of a judging panel consisting of Fiona Vacher and Patricia Lewis and Executive Chef Andrew Baird from Longueville Manor. They also sold scones to staff in all their branches, raising a total of £930.
• Youngest Host - William Highfield  He hosted his first Cream Tea at just six years old, inviting his friends round for a board game afternoon and raising almost £90.

Penny Byrne, a JCCT Trustee, commented on her experience as host with Yolanda Saez Castello: “We just had the best day! So many people came to support us and there was such a wonderfully relaxed and happy atmosphere. And it gave us the chance to tell people a bit more about some of the amazing work the Trust does for children and families across the Island."

Ms Vacher said: "We are incredibly grateful for the generosity and encouragement of our supporters that help us to help so many children and their families in the Island.  As a small, local charity, we are extremely proud that all monies donated go directly to the children who need it most.”

Speaking about her role as Patron, Lady Dalton said: “I feel hugely privileged to be Patron of this remarkable charity having witnessed first-hand the incredible work being done by the wonderful, dedicated team at the Jersey Child Care Trust.  They seek to support and improve the lives of many, the impact of which is they have made and are continuing to make, a real difference to the children and families here in Jersey.”

This year’s ‘Cream Tea for JCCT’ season is now in full swing and the charity is on the lookout for potential hosts who can arrange a cream tea in their office, workplace, school or home.  Free fundraising packs are available from JCCT for any potential hosts.

“We have achieved so much in the last 20 years and we have big plans for the future,” said Ms Vacher. “We have already helped 350 children with disabilities and 430 families experiencing challenge take steps towards a better future. Our work has fundamentally changed lives and we love being able to connect with supporters through our Cream Tea events.”