Jersey Electricity employees, like many Island workers, will be forgoing their traditional office Christmas celebrations this year but have decided to spread some cheer to those less fortunate. They are donating the money the Company would usually put towards departmental Christmas lunches to the Jersey Christmas Appeal.
JE Human Resources Director Andrew Welsby said: ‘Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have taken rigorous steps to keep our people and the community safe while also maintaining electricity supplies. Although the Company traditionally contributes a small subsidy to Christmas lunches by way of a year-end thank you to our people, we do not wish to encourage any social gatherings - no matter how small - in the current climate.
‘We discussed alternative uses for the funding, but our people chose to donate £5,000 to the Jersey Christmas Appeal which we feel is a very appropriate cause, and even more so this year with so many families adversely affected financially by the pandemic.’
Originally started by the Jersey Evening Post in 1897 as the Christmas Dinner Fund, the Jersey Christmas Appeal has been helping Islanders in need during the festive period for over 100 years. Every year it helps on average 1,500 individuals or families with food hampers or food vouchers, fuel vouchers and young persons’ gift vouchers.
