Lack of volunteers means some charities miss out

MORE than 50 charities were at Beau Sejour yesterday for the annual Round Table Christmas Fayre.

Eight-year-old Izzy Powis is on the autism spectrum and helps Autism Guernsey, which was set up in 2012 to provide support and assistance to people like her. Yesterday she was on the charity’s stall at the annual Rotary Christmas Fayre having made items like Christmas trees and soaps over the past few weeks.(Pictures by Steve Sarrem 23145217)

However, a shortage of volunteers resulted in some good causes having to pull out at the last minute.

Crowds of islanders were there to support the event, with people queueing from 9am to get in at 10.

Fayre organiser Roy Bisson said the event was as popular as ever.

‘There are 150 tables with about 50 charities on them,’ he said.

‘This is a real social service by the Round Table. We spend £3,000 to put it on and make no charge for the charities. One of the great things is that we get the big charities, but also the smaller ones and the newer ones,’ said Mr Bisson.

‘One lady I spoke to said this was their biggest fundraiser of the year and it is brilliant that we can be that. People have been working so hard.’

The event was just for charities, with groups like Safer, the GSPCA, GVS and Headway taking a chance to raise money.

‘There would have been even more charities, but it is hard for volunteers,’ Mr Bisson said.

‘Four or five charities had to pull out at the last minute because they could not get enough help on their stalls, which is a great shame. The pressure is really on.’

Among the stallholders was Autism Guernsey. Volunteer Izzy Powis, 8, lives with autism and said she was glad to be helping on the stall. For the last few months she has been making items for the stall, including Christmas trees and soaps.

‘I like helping them out,’ she said. ‘I’m fine with it because it’s not too busy.’

Friends of Priaulx Library committee member Keith Pike was on a stall selling table mats, which were printed with historic images of Guernsey from the library’s collection.

‘We started with four images and it has built up from there,’ he said. It’s just gone up and up. They are a real talking point.’

Among the shoppers was Sue Eon, who had a very good time on the raffle.

‘I don’t normally win,’ she said. ‘I come to the fayre every year. I just like the atmosphere. It’s really lovely. I have come along with my mum and my sister and we chat to people.’

Father Christmas was on hand to give out presents.

Three-year-old Jaxson Reid was pleased to get in to see him.

‘I was very excited,’ he said.