Favourable weather at this year’s Gorey Fête and St Martin’s Bonfire contributed to “one of the best ever” fundraising totals the events’ organisers have seen – with more than £50,000 donated to local charities.
The funds were formally presented to charity representatives by the Gorey Fête and St Martin’s Bonfire Committee, alongside Melvyn Birch from Jersey Mutual, at St Martin’s Public Hall on Friday.
This included £10,000 for each of the two principal beneficiaries of the 2025 St Martin’s Bonfire: Brighter Futures and Variety, the Children’s Charity of Jersey.
In addition, £10,000 was presented to each of the three principal beneficiaries of the 2025 Gorey Fête: Brightly, Jersey Friends of Anthony Nolan, and Music in Action.
The Committee also donated £1,000 to the St Martin’s School Parent Teacher Association.
Lester Richardson, who chairs the Gorey Fête and St Martin’s Bonfire Committee, told Express that this year’s fundraising total was “one of the best ever”.
“We’re delighted to be able to donate this money to a selection of brilliant local charities,” he said.
“This year we had favourable weather for both the fête and the bonfire which really helped us in raising these funds.”
Mr Richardson continued: “Both these events are sponsored by Jersey Mutual, and I want to thank them for their continued support, which is essential for us to be able to run these great events.
“I also want to thank the event committee and all the volunteers who give up their time for free to make it possible for these events to run.”
The Committee also thanked all of the sponsors, volunteers, honorary police officers, stallholders, performers, and members of the public “whose commitment and enthusiasm continue to make these community events such a success”.
