Individual Liberation Day hampers to be gifted to islanders who were alive during the Occupation

 In commemoration of Liberation Day, the Committee for Education Sport and Culture and Collas Crill will once again be gifting individual hampers to islanders who remained in Guernsey during the Occupation or who were evacuated during the Second World War.  

This follows on from the success of the inaugural initiative last year.  

With thanks to Collas Crill and Guernsey Dairy, there will be 500 hampers available to the Island’s older generation in celebration of this special day.  They will include buttermilk cake, milk, pats of butter, an individual chocolate bar, Guernsey biscuit and Guernsey cheddar. Each hamper will also be accompanied by a traditional ration card. The gesture aims to honour the sacrifices and challenges faced by the older generation during the Occupation.  

This initiative inspires to reach a larger proportion of islanders who experienced the hardships during the Occupation. It is open to all those islanders who were living in Guernsey or evacuated during the second World War, are aged 80 and over, and living in private accommodation  or with family.  There is a separate initiative for those islanders who are living in residential homes.  

Eligible individuals or their carers will need to register to receive a hamper by emailing [email protected] or calling 01481 734282 between Tuesday 2 April to Tuesday 30 April 2024. 

One hamper can be claimed per person and will be available to collect from the foyer at Beau Sejour on Thursday 9 May between 9.30am – 13.00pm. The hampers will be given only to those who register.  

When collecting hampers, individuals or their carers or family members are required to bring proof of identity for themselves and the recipient, such as a passport or driving licence. 

Deputy Sue Aldwell, Committee for Education, Sport and Culture, said: ‘I’d like to extend my gratitude to Collas Crill and Guernsey Dairy for making it possible once again for islanders who do not live in residential homes to receive such a lovely thoughtful token of our appreciation to help them get in the Liberation Day spirit.’ 

Gareth Bell, Guernsey Managing Partner at Collas Crill said: ‘The hampers proved to be hugely appreciated by the community in 2023, and our staff loved being part of such a special initiative. It is our honour to be supporting this again this year. The Collas Crill team is looking forward to once again meeting some of the island's most special residents and hearing their tales of the Occupation and Evacuation. 

‘We hope the recipients enjoy the hampers. Liberation Day is such an important day in Guernsey’s calendar and we’re proud to be a part of ensuring its place in history is highlighted.’ 

To register, islanders will be asked to give the following information: name of recipient, address, date of birth, contact details, and if applying on someone’s behalf, the name, telephone number and email address of the carer/family member. 

This information will be held by Collas Crill until Tuesday 14 May, at which point all contact details will be destroyed. 

Please email [email protected] or call (01481) 734282 to register.