Last Christmas marked the fourth year that Mr Le Gallais and his family had run the event, and, in those four years, the number of prizes donated by local people and businesses has doubled from when it began.
‘It just feels amazing. The amount of support we’ve got is incredible,’ said Mr Le Gallais, who last year was named Bailiwick Community Hero at the Guernsey Press Pride of Guernsey Awards for his efforts with the annual raffle.
‘We’ve now raised £110,000 for the lifeboat in the last four years. We’re so happy to do it because of how important the lifeboat is when you’re on an island. Especially in an industry like mine – I know the lifeboat has helped me and some of my guys out before.’
A1 Crab Supplies is a business that sources local crab, supplying some of Guernsey’s most popular restaurants and cafes. When the Le Gallais family started the raffle, it was originally intended to be a small affair, offering a selection of their wares for the prizes.
‘It all started when when we came up with the idea to do a raffle for a seafood platter,’ said his wife Claire, co-founder of the raffle.
‘Then different people wanted to donate their own prizes, and I think we ended up with about 100. We were amazed by how many people got involved.’
Now, the raffle receives donations from dozens upon dozens of local businesses every year, from well-known restaurants and hotels, to garages and construction companies, to independent small businesses and generous individuals.
‘We get all sorts,’ said Mrs Le Gallais.
‘We have donations from big businesses and small ones too. It’s always amazed us. Of course, at the end of the day, the real thing that keeps it going is the people buying tickets.
‘We couldn’t do it without their help.’
The Le Gallais are helped in the fundraising efforts by their five children, who help to sell tickets and do their own tombolas.
‘I think it’s exciting,’ said 11-year-old Ted, who has acted as a faithful assistant to his parents.
Mr Le Gallais said that he and his family have previously received offers to expand the raffle by taking it corporate, but he chooses to keep it a family-run event.
The family have already begun to see businesses signing up to donate for the 2026 Christmas raffle, and are looking forward to keeping it running for years to come.
‘We’re enormously appreciative of all that Bernie does. The amount he’s raised is amazing,’ said lifeboat management group chairman Jim Le Pelley.
‘The lifeboat is enormously important for all people in Guernsey, not to mention expensive to run.
‘This kind of support makes a massive difference.’
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