Diamond dream comes true for Ray & Scott charity fundraiser
RAY & SCOTT'S Diamond Dream has been secured, with £150,000 being raised for local charities, and the initiative is set to continue as the business heads into its 61st year.
In celebration of the jewellers’ diamond anniversary, managing director Martin Search wanted to give back to the community through his Diamond Dream fundraising campaign, which initially hoped to raise £60,000 to be split between six charities.
This goal was achieved by July 2021, and Mr Search carried on and reached a new target of £150,000, which was split equally between 15 local charities.
‘I couldn’t have dreamed for a better result – it’s phenomenal,’ Mr Search said.
‘It’s such a fantastic thing to do and the charities are so grateful – the public is so supportive.’
Customers were given up to 20% off all diamond jewellery, excluding watches, with a minimum of 2.5% being donated to a local charity.
They could then choose to donate more of their discount if they wished, in what Mr Search described as ‘a gift to Guernsey’.
‘The people of Guernsey have raised this money, not me,’ he said.
‘It is the generosity of our customers new and old that has got us to this new point.’
Key fundraising events included a Charity Grand Prix and, most notably the Diamond Dream Charity Ball, which was attended by more than 200 people.
‘The whole Ray & Scott team are just passionate about the island and are really grateful to have been in business for so long and valued by the Guernsey public,’ Mr Search said. He will now keep the Diamond Dream as an ongoing project.
‘It keeps us all together – it’s a Guernsey Together situation.’
The Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association was one of the benefitting charities, and manager Julie Thompson was very grateful.
‘It’s a huge help and I don’t think anyone realises how big it is for each charity.
‘It’s not every day you are given that amount of money.’
She said the money would go towards its service to the community, and would help with funding for an exhibition showcasing a recent art project.
Autism Guernsey fundraising manager Mandy Rowlinson said the donation was amazing.
‘This has been absolutely fantastic – we don’t receive any States’ funding so all our services are funded by donations and grants,’ she said.
‘There are so many charities in the island that need support so the ongoing support from Ray & Scott is incredible.’
A range of charities benefitted, including Bright Beginnings, Les Bourgs Hospice, the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation, and Guernsey Mind.
