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CHANNEL ISLANDS AIRSEARCH |
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| The Lifeboats' eyes in the sky - 30th Anniversary Year 1980 - 2010 | ||
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Jersey Friends of Air SearchPresident's Report 2005Year 1st July 2004 – 30th June 2005 Prior to writing this Report, I have perused the minutes of the previous year and I have also taken the opportunity to review the Strategy, agreed in principle in October 2004, against what the committee under my presidency has actually achieved. It is worth recalling that the Objective of the Strategy was ‘To make the presence of CIAS better known to the Jersey public, the Island’s media and the Island’s boating community in particular.’ Through this proposed increased level of awareness, it was perceived that increased funds would be forthcoming, to assist in raising the £70,000 required annually to keep ‘Lions Pride’ in the air and available to the Sea Rescue Centres of Jersey and Guernsey on a 24/7 basis. I am pleased to report that, in my view, we have broadly achieved the objectives as I would suggest that the awareness in Jersey of CIAS has been increased through our own 25th Anniversary events and our participation in events organised by others to raise funds for Air Search. I am also pleased to report that general fund raising income, donations, collection boxes etc. has in overall terms, increased from £26,682.00 (2003/4) to £32,754 (2004/5), an increase of £ 6,072 (22.7%). However a note of caution needs to be added at this point as in 2003/4 specific donations totalling £49,000 were raised (in addition to the mentioned general fund figure) to assist in funding the aircraft engine replacement project. In the year under report, we have not had need to raise specific funds but we have been warned by Derek Short, Chairman of the Trustees that the radar system of the aircraft is in need of replacement and upgrading and thus we shall need to address this capital expenditure in the ensuing months, once we have a detailed specification and quotation. Derek and I have already identified some possible corporate donors to approach and contact will be made as soon as we have the mentioned details to hand. A brief resume of last year’s activities now follows: 2004 Autumn Lunch (31st October) and Spring Lunch 2005 (17th April). These well established fund raising luncheons, under the expert guidance and direction of committee member Ron Baudet were well supported and the 17th April lunch raised record funds. Apart from the fund raising objective, these lunches are also enjoyable social occasions, where our hosts, the Jersey Pottery Restaurant always excel themselves by providing an excellent meal in attractive surroundings. 15th March 2005: Blessing of Lions Pride at Jersey Airport. This was the first specific event arranged by the committee for our 25th Anniversary year. We were ably assisted by our hosts, the Jersey Aero Club and judging from the comments of those that attended and the ensuing media coverage, this event was extremely worthwhile in every respect. It also marked the first appearance of our purpose built display stand, which has since appeared at several events. 6th May 2005: Naming of Jersey Clipper. This proved to be a both an awareness and fund raising opportunity as Lions Pride overflew the event as the 68’ Chinese built racing yacht was being named by The Lieutenant Governor of Jersey, also our Patron. Following this, John Searson’s rowing crew undertook a bucket collection for our funds. Due to inclement weather the cross channel commemorative row was postponed and has recently been completed – CIAS are one of the named charities that will benefit. 7th May 2005: Liberation Celebrations at La Rocque: This Grouville Parish event was attended by Richard Haycock and Tony Beaumont and despite inhospitable evening weather, some of our clothing stock was sold and funds raised. 14th June 2005: 25th Anniversary Reception at Government House. Hosted by our Patron, His Excellency Air Chief Marshal Sir John Cheshire, Lieutenant Governor of Jersey and Lady Cheshire, the invited guests enjoyed a pleasant early summer evening in the grounds of Government House, with music provided by La Ronde Concert Band and a detachment from the Jersey Sea Cadets in attendance, who together, ended the evening with the traditional ‘Evening Colours’ ceremony. Chairman of the Trustees, Derek Short in his address, thanked His Excellency for providing the Reception and in his response, Sir John expounded the excellent work carried out by Air Search and proposed a toast to the 25th Anniversary and future of CIAS. A spectacular flyover was provided by Lions Pride, circling Government House with loud hailer blazing! 25th June: ‘Xtravaganza of Sail & Power This event, which culminated the combined Tourism/Harbours ‘Out of the Blue’ celebrations, was organised by St Helier Yacht Club as a fund raising opportunity for CIAS. Valerie and I acted as the judges of the various classes of craft and in excess of £700 was raised for our funds. Lions Pride overflew the event in St Aubin’s Bay, thus providing awareness to both participants and spectators. Brite – Mats: These extremely useful items (wafer thin mouse-mats) sponsored by Jersey Post, featuring the 32p Lions Pride stamp issued in April as part of an emergency craft set, arrived on time in mid –June. This allowed a number to be distributed at the previous event and their ongoing use for promotional and recruiting purposes continues. Jersey Friends were involved in further events on 8th & 9th July in addition to the Fountain Collection at The Airport Departures Hall to coincide with the actual 25th Anniversary in July, but these fall into the 2005/6 year and will be contained in the next Report. Now – in brief - the future! Your committee will, subject to approval, be launching a membership recruitment drive with a new membership leaflet in the autumn. It is proposed to produce a Newsletter to assist membership recruitment and most important, to keep the current membership informed. 2006 should see the launching of the CIAS & Jersey Harbours Challenge (SOLAS V) Cup. This proposal for a unique yachting event has been put forward by committee member Sarah Price, whose contributions to the overall effort of the committee are appreciated. Ron Baudet has proposed a Corporate Golf Day at La Moye Golf Club and this will be discussed by committee following written advice and outline details received from La Moye. Conclusion: It remains for me to thank our Secretary Ron McLean and Treasurer John Wetherall for their specific input and to all committee members for their involvement and support. Also, my special thanks to the Membership Co-ordinator Graham Talbot and Collection Box Co-ordinator Richard Haycock and his team for their continuing efforts. The unsung hero of our committee, Philip Jeune, Press & Public Relations Officer, has worked tirelessly to ensure our name is mentioned at every opportunity and several articles have appeared in a range of publications due to his efforts, so my personal thanks to Philip. I am pleased to report that during the year, we have welcomed Sarah Price, Roger Leonard and the Reverend Christopher Buckley to committee. Sarah’s input is considerable and provides our main link with Harbours. I know that both Roger and Chris are willing hands and their specific talents will be put to good use in the coming months. A special thanks to my wife, Val for her support and assistance with manning the stand at various functions and assisting with fund raising activities. All charities are finding fund raising difficult given the various and well publicised priorities of world wide humanitarian disasters, but we have a duty to raise our share of the required CIAS funding. With this in mind I am pleased to report that the Jersey Friends committee enter the year 2005/6 in good heart.
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The Queen's award for Voluntary Service 2005
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Please email us if you require more information about the work of the charity. A Registered Charity in Jersey (no. 104) and in Guernsey (no. 53)Copyright © 2002-2010 Channel Islands Air Search |
