July volunteers of the month - Jersey group

Brooke’s Jersey Volunteer Group have been fundraising for 19 years and in that time have raised an amazing £390,000 to help working horses, donkeys and mules around the world.

The group, which is headed up by Mary Gaiger, hosts regular events throughout the year including an annual quiz, the Handbags and Glad Rags dress sale, the Spooky Pooches Halloween Walk, and until the recent passing of Mary’s donkey John Henry (pictured), their annual St. Helier Street collection. John Henry, along with his canine friends, raised £16,000 over the years until he passed away in December aged 33.

Despite the impact of Coronavirus on fundraising events this year, the group has still managed to find inspiring ways to raise money for Brooke. On 20 June, four members of the group took on an incredible Cliff Path Challenge which involved walking up a steep cliff path at L’Etacq in Jersey whilst each carrying 10kg weighted bags. The challenge aimed to emulate what the horses, donkeys and mules working in coal mines have to endure daily; often facing 8-10 hour days, carrying loads weighing around 100kg. The team did a total of 15 journeys, 30 times up and down the cliff. The group also went ahead with a socially distanced version of their Handbags and Glad Rags event on 18 July, staging it outside and limiting attendees to 10 at a time.

Brooke Senior Regional Fundraising Officer Polly West said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to the group, not just for their incredible support over the last 19 years, but for coming up with initiative ways to continue fundraising in this current climate.”

Mary and the Jersey group are part of a large network of volunteers fundraising for Brooke around the UK. Money raised from volunteers goes towards Brooke’s work across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, making lasting improvements to the lives of working horses, donkeys and mules and the people who depend on them.

If you’re interested in volunteering or joining a group, please email [email protected].