ISLANDERS cast a record 30,897 votes for their community heroes this year – but despite a spread of high-calibre nominations, there can only be three finalists in each Pride of Jersey category.
Revealed today, the shortlist of three (with the exception of Grandparent(s) of the Year and Mental Health Champion of the Year where a tie resulted in four Islanders making the shortlist) are nominees who were polled highest in the public vote.
A panel of judges comprising a previous winner, a JEP staff member and a representative of the award sponsor will choose the winner from these three.
The finalists will all be invited to the awards ceremony later this month, where they will find out if they have been crowned the Pride of Jersey winner.
The event takes place at Albert Bartlett’s headquarters on Trinity Hill on Thursday 24 October, and will be hosted by former JEP deputy editor Carl Walker, who helped to create the Pride of Jersey Awards back in 2015. He will be joined by soprano Georgi Mottram who will be making a welcome return to co-host the ceremony.
The finalists will be featured in the JEP over the coming days.
Ambassador of the Year
John Cornwall: For the work that he does for young Islanders with the Jersey Youth Service.
Sandra Auckland: For all her work for Variety, the Children’s Charity of Jersey.
Pierre Chays: Jersey’s new French honorary consul whom the nominator said had made “a huge difference” to French nationals living on the Island.
Angel of the Year
Skye Newton: A clinical liaison specialist nurse who cares for young people with cancer.
JJ Gallagher and Sammy the dog: For his work finding missing dogs in all hours and all weather conditions.
Cate Goode: A colorectal and stoma care nurse specialist who “exemplifies the true spirit of nursing”.
Child of the Year
Hallie-Rose Gray (8): For her determination in being the youngest person to finish the challenging South Coast Challenge unassisted.
Alexa Piziura (10): For her fundraising efforts following the deaths of a father and son who were hit by a vehicle in Grouville last year.
Conor Tait (16 months): He was diagnosed with a stage-three Wilms’ tumour, also known as nephroblastoma, and the nominator said “he was amazingly calm, relatively quiet, never cried”.
Community Champion of the Year
Gaynor and Zoe Marshall: Two superheroes of Jersey’s farming community. Their nominator described them as “the spirit of resilience, compassion and community”.
Oncology/Haematology Department at the General Hospital: For “the care and wonderful attention” the nominator received.
Isobel Hamon: A nurse and volunteer in the Emergency Department where “numerous students, nurses and doctors in training have benefited from her experience and teaching”.
Customer Service Employee of the Year
Cyrus Asievukwa: A chef at Jersey Joe’s Diner in the Merton Hotel, known for his “infectious smile and warm personality”.
Carla Alves: A member of staff from the Market Kitchen, nominator and owner of the business said it “would never be where it is without her”.
Simon Paul Routier: The Waitrose staff member recently received his 25 Year Partner Award. He “has Down Syndrome and he has never let that get in his way”.
Diversity and Inclusion Champion of the Year
Healing Waves: For helping so many people with disabilities discover or rediscover surfing.
Sudha Gupta: Her nominator said she is “nothing short of an angel” for the Indian community in Jersey.
Muhammad Meghani: A Jersey Electricity employee nominated for leading the JE forum with “insight, passion and empathy”.
Environmentalist of the Year
Matt Porteous and Tamsin Raine: The driving forces behind Ocean Culture Life, known for the work they have done to promote ocean awareness in Jersey and around the world.
Nadja Lane: For her sustainably-focused career and passion about the environment, whether that be encouraging family and friends to recycle or helping to draft policy for the Carbon Neutral Roadmap.
Jon Parkes: The National Trust for Jersey’s lead manager is nominated for continuing to protect the Island’s wildlife.
Grandparent of the Year
Michelle Baudet: Ms Baudet has been in and out of hospital for most of her grandchildren’s lives, but “she still keeps on fighting to spend as much time as she can with them”.
Aileen Landers: Having lost her husband five years ago to a fatal heart attack after 30 years of marriage, Mrs Landers “still put others before herself”.
Julie Nerac: A “real-life Mary Poppins” who has a “very special bond” with her grandson who has autism.
Barbara and Tim Bechelet: A couple who “always have time” for their grandchildren. Readers may recognise Mrs Bechelet for making Jersey Wonders.
Inspirational Leader of the Year
Georgina Cook: For inspiring thousands on social media where she describes herself as a “lawyer, sober, middle-aged hipster” and documents the “truthful reality of life as a middle-aged woman”.
Grace Crake: For using her time to inspire the next generation of Jersey’s farming community.
Mark Baker: Having overcome childhood abuse and being “driven by the desire to understand his trauma”, he has “dedicated himself to inspiring others, using his story to instil hope and resilience in several-hundred cancer patients globally”.
Mental Health Champion of the Year
Beth Moore: Helped to establish and lead Jersey Recovery College, was described by her nominator as an “inspiration” for how to turn personal adversity into action that makes everyone’s life better.
James Cunningham: Mr Cunningham started James’ Ark which is aimed at advocating men’s mental health.
Paulina Lawida: For her work at Mind Jersey. Her nominator described her as “amazing at what she does”.
Siobhan Le Moignan: Looks after financial, physical and mental wellbeing at HSBC, she’s an advocate for mental health and physical wellbeing and an active fundraiser.
Neighbour of the Year
Martine Le Guilcher: After Storm Ciarán hit, Ms Le Gulcher’s nominator said her apartment block was damaged and she was forced to move out. She described Martine as “absolutely invaluable” during that time.
Bernard and Kim Connor: They “give so much” to their neighbours and the wider parish, they provide 24/7 support to their neighbours in the elderly community.
Sarah Lock: For helping her neighbour throughout her rehabilitation after she broke her back.
Teacher of the Year
Leah Holliday: Beaulieu teacher who makes sure her students achieve the “absolute best”.
Sam Cooper: Headteacher at d’Auvergne School for being “one of the best head teachers I have known and, for me, d’Auvergne is very lucky to have him”.
Alexis Robins: A teaching assistant at Beaulieu, she “has learned from her own difficulties that spending time with children is important if she is to help them reach their potential”.
Volunteer/Fundraiser of the Year
Jean Falk: For continuously dedicating her time to rehoming cats.
Sarah Burns: For raising money for a different charity each year since 2012.
Colin Shales: For his dedication to raising money for RNLI, Mr Shales has raised around £50,000 over the last 20 years.
Young Ambassador of the Year
Antonia Rubio: The 25-year-old documented her cancer journey on social media, connecting with thousands of individuals who were also going through a similar journey. Her nominator and mum described her as “remarkable” after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer last year.
Luke Holmes: For his unwavering commitment to triathlon, Mr Holmes has represented Team GB at European level. He also won a gold medal for Jersey at the Youth Commonwealth Games in Trinidad and Tobago and gained the title of winner in the British Triathlon Super Series.
Poppy Pendergast: Described as a “role model to the community, as she is always willing to take time for others”. Miss Pendergast is a young leader for Girl Guides and volunteers at local nursing homes.
