Gorey’s much-loved beachside stalwart, Rhona Hewit, is celebrating her most successful fundraising year yet, after raising £10,000 for Enable Jersey in 2025.
This brings her total charitable fundraising over the past two decades to more than £60,000.
Rhona, who has run Rhona’s on the Beach for 20 years, has become a household name in Gorey thanks to her fish finger sandwiches, bacon butties and her unwavering commitment to supporting local causes. This year’s total marks the perfect moment for Rhona to step back, as she announces her retirement and places her beloved beach café up for sale.
Reflecting on her final season behind the counter, Rhona said: “I couldn’t have wished for a better final year. The generosity, kindness, and support from islanders has been overwhelming, and raising £10,000 for Enable feels like the perfect way to close this chapter. I’ve loved every minute – every customer, every stormy morning, every sunny lunchtime rush. It’s been a privilege to serve this community for 20 years, and I’m retiring with a full heart and the happiest memories.”
Each year, Rhona selects a charity close to her heart, donating proceeds from her iconic fish finger sandwiches together with sales of her hand-crafted creations. This year, her much-loved gonks, pumpkin tea cosies and Easter chicks proved as popular as ever, and she even passed on her creative skills in a special gonk-making workshop that brought the community together in true Rhona style. Her efforts have brought joy to locals, vital funds to many organisations, and a strong sense of community to Gorey’s beachfront.
Sean Pontin, CEO of Enable Jersey, said: “Rhona is a true community champion – one of the very best. She set herself a big target this year and smashed it, raising an amazing £10,000 for Enable. Rhona’s generosity, positivity and sheer determination inspire everyone around her. While we’ll all miss seeing her at the hatch every day, she more than deserves to retire on a high. Her legacy will be felt across Jersey for years to come.”
Enable Jersey celebrated Rhona’s achievements earlier this summer with a Beach Bash marking both her 20th anniversary and her extraordinary contribution to local charities, but even that, Sean says, “didn’t come close to showing how much she means to us and this island.”
As Rhona prepares for her well-earned retirement, she is in talks with prospective buyers and is hopeful that a like-minded new owner will continue to serve the community she holds so dear.
