organisations to small niche groups, supporting anyone and just about anything in need of assistance, care, protection or education. A great number of these are entirely funded by the generosity and support of the local community, and now, more than ever before, that support is crucial to their continued existence.
Between January and October 2020, and in spite of the pandemic, over 7,400 individuals donated to Jersey Hospice Care, either through direct donations, purchasing a lottery ticket or event fundraising. According to Katrina Hancock, Director of Income Generation, many of those supporters chose to donate anonymously.
“They are not looking for public praise or acknowledgement, but they quietly step in to help because they know, often through first-hand experience, that their gift will make a difference to someone else who is living with those who are dying. Through their generosity we are able to help everyone who needs our specialist care to live life to the full – and we simply couldn’t do what we do without that support.”
One of those nameless supporters we will call John is a wealthy man who lived here until he was six and on his retirement returned to the island of his birth, and place where he felt happiest. He thinks of supporting others less fortunate than himself, as one of the most pleasing rewards of a successful business life.
“Although I’m wealthy I don’t have a big yacht and fancy things. I have no desire for that. I quite like interesting cars but apart from that, giving to charity is the pleasure I get from my financial success.,” he says. “I donated two hundred thousand pounds to Sanctuary Trust, and I provide them with £400 worth of food each month; I give Brighter Futures £1,000 per month and I gave the Community Savings Bank the money needed for their structure and marketing. I’ve given Cheshire Homes £50k and the same to Trees for Life, which I think is beneficial to the whole island. I paid for the yellow flowers that were made and sold for Hospice, I supported Phil Sharp in his desire to race in the Vendée Globe
sailing race, which I thought would be good exposure for Jersey, and I gave the hospital £50k to help them through the Covid crisis. There have been other things, but I can’t remember them all. I am suspicious of the bigger charities that pay their top people vast amounts of money and advertise on television. I’d rather see how my money is used; I like to do things for individuals.”
His criteria for supporting local charities is that they must either be cultural – he regards Jersey’s Opera House as crucial to the island, especially as a venue for breaking down polarisation between rich and poor in the community – or for those who find themselves in difficult circumstances.
“I like to support charities that help children, such as Brighter Futures, and I also choose to support those giving assistance to people who have had a bad time, those who are poor and don’t have anywhere to live, or have had some sort of breakdown in their lives. I feel compassionate towards them; many people don’t understand what it’s like to be in that position.”
James, like John, is another wealthy immigrant who has been supportive of local charities since moving to Jersey under the High Value Residency Scheme eight years ago. He is always on the lookout for projects needing support. “It is quite strange how you can see or find out about things in odd ways: magazine cuttings, emails, just walking around town and seeing things, or perhaps people standing on the street requesting collections, or pop up shops. People who’re trying to make an effort to raise the profile of whatever they are doing draw my attention.”
For James, it is important that his donations are spent in the island, and he avoids charities with any political involvement.
Photographs by Jersey Opera House
Beyond 20/20 - Philanthropy
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