Local Freemasons and Directors of Autism Guernsey Worshipful Brothers, Jerry Girard, Dr Nick King and Andrew Sparks joined forces with the GSPCA, run by our Brother Steve Byrne, to raise badly needed funds for both charities by offering sponsorship of 60 handcrafted puffins which were individually painted by artists, school children, community groups and companies from across the island. They were then invited to Government House where Mrs Cripwell who is the Patron of Autism Guernsey and the Lieutenant Governor Richard Cripwell CB, CBE who is the Patron of the GSPCA hosted the launch of the Puffin Parade by unveiling one of the beautifully painted puffins.
Lieutenant Governor Richard Cripwell quoted, “We are now officially in Puffin arrival month as the real birds start to nest along our incredible coast line it was so nice to meet so many of the sponsors and artists and for the first Puffin to be unveiled. This morning the last few Puffins arrive at their locations and it is wonderful to see it all coming together.”
The GSPCA, supported by volunteers from Guernsey Freemasons, then ensured that the 60 puffins were located in local businesses, schools, churches, local visitor attractions and restaurants throughout the island, with one located in the neighbouring island of Herm.
The children of the Bailiwick of Guernsey were then invited to enter a competition which involved spotting all puffins on the parade with the assistance of a specially created application allowing the whole community to get involved. The twelve most popular puffins will also be captured in a 2024 diary to celebrate the popular event and raise additional funds.
Last week the puffin auction took place! All sixty were on display at the largest hotel on the island where businesses and individuals were able to bid for their particular favourite. The whole event demonstrated the intrinsic links between freemasonry, charity and working together in supporting the island community in order to raise ….. wait for it….. £98,400! For two deserving charities.
The picture shows The Directors of Autism Guernsey Jerry Girard, Dr Nick King and Andrew Sparks with Bro Steve Byrne and some of our fellow volunteers Brothers Keith Hounsell and Matthew Tostevin.
An amazing some on Money raised for charity we are so proud!
For those wanting to donate still to the event and the two charities please visit https://giving.gg/donate/event/9201/Puffin-Parade
To see all the details about the event please visit https://puffinparade.org.gg/
