Top Jersey charities honoured at Government House ceremony

Jersey's charities have been honoured in a ceremony at Government House.

The Sundeep Watts Memorial Fund  - which supports a school in Kenya - won the outstanding achievement for a small charity prize.

The Foundation was established in 2008 by Sundeep’s family, with the aim of improving education and welfare in some of the poorest regions of Africa.

Caring Cooks and Jersey Hospice took the medium and large categories.

An 'Outstanding Contribution Award’ was presented to long-standing Caring Cooks volunteer Suzy Webb.

There was a special recognition award for Lyn Wilton, administrator of the Association of Jersey Charities, ahead of her retirement.

The awards are organised by the Association of Jersey Charities (AJC) and take place every two years to recognise outstanding achievement, professionalism and excellence amongst organisations and individuals in the third sector.

The ceremony was attend by more than 200 people.

More than 30 nominations had been made for the top prizes, which were judged by a panel including Paul Routier MBE, Charles Humpleby, Liz Le Poidevin and Jane Galloway.

The winners receive £5,000 while the second and third placed charities in each category get £1,000 and £500 respectively.

The winners were:

Outstanding Achievement for a Small Charity

· Winner: Sundeep Watts Memorial Fund

· 2nd: Philip's Footprints

· 3rd: Jersey Sea Cadet Corps

Outstanding Achievement for a Medium Charity

· Winner: Caring Cooks of Jersey

· 2nd: Citizen's Advice Jersey

· 3rd: Autism Jersey

Outstanding Achievement for a Large Charity

· Winner: Jersey Hospice Care

· 2nd: Les Amis

· 3rd: Family Nursing & Home Care

Marcus Liddiard, CEO of the Association of Jersey Charities, said:

“The last couple of years have continued to provide challenges for local charities, as they have had to face up to a cost of living crisis, difficult fundraising conditions and increasing demand for their services. But what we have seen through our Awards this year is that Jersey charities have stepped up to that challenge to introduce new ideas and solutions, through a blend of creativity and determination.

"All our winners this year are very worthy indeed – but most impressive is the collective impact of our sector and the huge value it so clearly adds in the local community.”