Jersey volunteers win funding

Young carers in Jersey now have the opportunity to fly high thanks to Flybe and the people of the community who voted St John Ambulance as an 'Island Hero'.

Volunteers are celebrating after winning £5,000 and £5,000 worth of flight vouchers - voted for by readers of the Jersey Evening Post. The bursary will be used to kick-start a Youth carers support programme.

Nigel Truscott, Bailiwick Director at St John Ambulance, Jersey said: 'Many Islanders have heard of our successful adult Care support programme. We knew that there was a huge need to offer support to young carers too.'

He continued: 'This cash award of five thousand pounds will enable us to offer Care Support Training specifically designed for young carers and the additional five thousand pound of flight vouchers given by Flybe will enable them to enjoy respite holidays in the United Kingdom as many of these carers do not have the opportunity to have a holiday.'

The award was made following the submission of voting slips in the Jersey Evening Post and the public were invited to submit their vote for one good cause out of a short list of three in three different categories.

Nigel added: 'We would like to say a huge thank you to the people of Jersey who voted for this initiative that will help under-18s who look after physically or mentally ill parents, disabled siblings, or a parent who abuses drugs or alcohol.

'These courses will be a good device for networking and helping young people realise that they are not alone. We can’t thank enough Flybe, the Jersey Evening Post and the Jersey Public who have shown that it is not just St John Ambulance who care for the carers but we all do.'