The parcels, which contain a number of cupboard staples and treats, are packed into shoeboxes and wrapped in brown paper to look similar to the parcels that were delivered to starving islanders on the Red Cross ship SS Vega during the last months of the Occupation.
Volunteers have been working behind the scenes to put the parcels together, with around 100 already being prepared and donated.
Pictured: Pauline Leadbeater with her special Liberation Day parcel (St John Guernsey)
Mrs Marquis explained where the idea originated from. “It all came about because the residents’ association at the Nouvelle Maritime always used to make up care packages for residents, but last year during lockdown they were unable to do that, so I thought we’d see if we could get 70 parcels donated for the residents,” she said.
“We ended up with more than 200, so we were able to give parcels to people at the Grand Courtil and people in the community who lived alone or maybe had a link to the Occupation and Liberation.
“It was fantastic seeing people’s faces when they received their packages, so after the success of last year I thought we should do it again.”
St John Ambulance Guernsey is co-ordinating the distribution of the parcels on Liberation Day and volunteers from the charity will be sorting, labelling and delivering them around the island.
Pictured: St John Ambulance Guernsey is co-ordinating the logistics of distributing the parcels on Liberation Day and volunteers from the charity will be delivering them around the island.
“The connection between St John delivering food parcels during the Occupation and delivering food parcels again in 2021 is a very poignant one,” said Chief Executive Officer, Nikki Harrison. “It reminds us that humanity is at the heart of our values and demonstrates how St John has always responded to support our community in its time of need.”
“The idea developed very quickly during lockdown last year and thanks to our dedicated volunteers we were able to respond quickly to help with the deliveries. It is wonderful to see the project continuing this year and having been involved with the deliveries myself last year, I know how well the parcels were received.”
Islanders who want to donate a shoebox filled with goodies can drop their parcel at the St John Ambulance Guernsey hall next to the St John Healthcare Shop at the Rohais, St Peter Port during office hours until Friday 7 May.
Pictured top: Pauline Leadbeater opening her Liberation Day parcel last year (St John Guernsey).