Businessman appeals for St John support
A CAFE owner turned volunteer worker for St John Ambulance Guernsey in lockdown is encouraging people to support the charity by donating the cost of a dinner.
Some restaurants are asking diners to make a donation to St John in view of the fact they can’t eat out.
Richard Griffin, 40, who owns Muse Cafe, Bouche, and is a director of The Streat, is helping to deliver groceries and medication to those who are shielding or in self-isolation, and taking people to the community vaccination centre, one of the services St John offers.
‘I normally work about 10 hours a day so doing nothing would drive me crazy,’ he said. ‘I’ve got the three businesses and no idea when they will be able to open again, so it helps to keep me motivated and helps the community too.’
The Hook, Balthazar Restaurant & Bar, Pier 17 and Muse Cafe are the first establishments to back the Donate a Dinner for St John campaign, which to date has raised more than £3,000.
The charity has launched a fundraising campaign with the aim of raising more than £100,000 in 2021 to pay for the voluntary services it provides, which include the marine ambulance. It gets no money from the States.
As well as the delivery and transport services, St John runs the Caring Caller service for those who are isolated and lonely as well as decontaminating the emergency ambulances.
Mr Griffin said the people to whom he had given lifts or ran errands for were always very grateful.
‘One man wanted to give me some money for petrol,’ he said. ‘I wouldn’t take it, and when I said he could always make a donation to St John Ambulance, he said he had already done it.’
Generally it took about an hour to take somebody to Beau Sejour and back for their vaccination. This included both journeys and the time spent sanitising his car between passengers.
n Donations can be made via Giving.gg at http://bit.ly/3joW8XF. Anyone wishing to support St John Ambulance Guernsey can also email fundraising@stjohn.gg or call 727129.
