Red Cross-inspired residential hampers return this Liberation Day

More than 800 islanders living in residential homes or attending Age Concern groups will once again receive gifted hampers this Liberation Day, sponsored by Rok. 

The design and contents of each hamper have been carefully selected, inspired by the Red Cross food parcels delivered in May 1945 by the SS Vega, honouring the resilience of islanders and the hope those parcels once brought. 

Islanders in residential homes will receive their hampers on 8 May, with Age Concern group hampers being delivered during the week of Liberation Day. 

Each hamper will include Guernsey Gache, scones and products from the Guernsey Dairy, fresh fruit donated by the Co-Op and traditional ration cards - all selected by the Guernsey Hamper Company. Recipients will be able to enjoy these nostalgic treats with a cup of loose-leaf tea. 

A new addition to the hampers this year will be an orange drizzle cake, drawing inspiration from the fruit that troops gave children on Liberation Day, 81 years ago. As fresh fruit was impossible to obtain during the Occupation, many children tried to use the oranges as balls, as they had never seen them before.    

Deputy Andy Cameron, Vice-President and Liberation Day Lead for the Committee for Education, Sport & Culture, said: 

“Many of those receiving these special hampers experienced or remember the treats delivered by SS Vega in 1945. This initiative brings a lot of joy to islanders and we are pleased to be offering them again this year. 

“There has been so much thought put into each detail in the hampers, and we thank all those involved in their creation, from the Guernsey Hamper Company to all the volunteers who will deliver them to the residents in May. 

“This year’s hampers are kindly sponsored by the Channel Island construction company Rok, and we are very grateful to them for coming forward to support this beloved initiative which means so much to our community.” 

Kevan Nelson, Director at Rok, said:  

“We thoroughly enjoy being a part of Liberation Day celebrations each year. We are proud to sponsor this initiative that ties everything that Liberation Day represents into one neat package, for those whose lives were most shaped by the war. 

“While other islanders will celebrate in St Peter Port and in their parishes, these hampers allow many from the older generation who might not be able to access those events to reminisce and commemorate on the day of reflection and celebration.” 

Mrs Sue Browning, Matron of Summerland Nursing Home, added:  

“Each year we throw a Liberation Day tea party with the residents to enjoy the hamper contents, and it has become a favourite celebration for a lot of the team.  

“The staff dress up in traditional outfits from that era, we sing songs and we reminisce too as a lot of our residents remember the Occupation. Back then, they made the most out of the very little they had, so this annual tea party is a truly special moment for them.” 

Liberation Day organisers will contact residential homes and Age Concern groups regarding the delivery of the hampers. Information about individual hampers for islanders who remained in Guernsey during the Occupation or were evacuated during the Second World War, but do not reside in residential homes or with Age Concern, will be released at the start of April.