Charities in Jersey shared almost a million pounds of lottery proceeds and private grants in 2023.

In the final three months of the year, the Association of Jersey Charities distributed more than £225,000 in grants. £77,133 was from Channel Islands Lottery profits.

Across 2023, a total of £957,564 has been distributed to charities and groups in the island.

Commenting on the latest round of grants, Beth Gallichan, CEO of the Association of Jersey Charities, says the environment for local charities remains hugely challenging.

"They are seeing a spike in demand from people who are relying on them more than ever, but at the same time, are having to come to terms with rising operating costs and real pressures on fundraising.

This puts into perspective just how important grant distribution is."

Beth Gallichan, CEO of AJC

In the last round of grants, Age Concern accepted £30,000 to help with the cost of a mini-bus driver and running costs.

Jersey Action Against Rape received £27,702 to provide three Sessional Counsellors.

Tracey Le Brocq, CEO of JAAR, says it is delighted to receive a grant from the Association of Jersey Charities.

"This generous donation will fund the salaries of three Sessional Counsellors and will support the delivery of our fundamental objective; to provide quality one-to-one empathetic, non-judgemental counselling to help female and male survivors and their friends and family cope with and recover from the trauma of rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and childhood sexual abuse.

JAAR is incredibly grateful for the kind and continued support of the Association of Jersey Charities and the Channel Islands lottery, which will make a real difference to the lives of survivors in Jersey."

Credit: Jersey Action Against Rape

New veterinary equipment was bought by the JSPCA, with its £7,800 donation.

Family Nursing & Home Care used its £6,631 to purchase and implement an HR Management System.

Caring Cooks used £5,000 to benefit the Winter 'Food or Fuel' campaign for 2023, which sees islanders given vouchers to assist them through the colder months.

In addition, a further £57,702 was given to charities that met certain criteria or specific conditions, whilst £93,332 was given out from private contributions.

Beth says the AJC is pleased that it can support charities that continue to deliver critical services to local people.

"The fact that we have been able to distribute approaching £1m over the course of last year to a broad range of charities, spanning conservation, health, social, youth and disability, has been vital in enabling charities to deliver critical services in the local community."