Jersey’s Lieutenant-Governor has become an official patron of local homeless charity Sanctuary Trust.
Marking the patronage, Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd and his wife, Dr Karen Kyd, paid a visit to the charity’s St Aubin shelter, Sanctuary House, where they met with trustees, members of staff and residents.
On accepting the appointment, His Excellency commented: “I am delighted to have been invited to be patron of Sanctuary Trust and very much look forward to supporting the charity during my term as Lieutenant-Governor. My recent visit to meet staff and residents was enlightening, hearing about Jersey’s hidden homeless, Sanctuary’s work and its challenges and, as a military man, the significant number of former servicemen the charity has supported over the years.”
Trustees Reverend Mark Bond and Debbie Prosser joined members of the Sanctuary Trust team and residents to welcome the Lieutenant-Governor and his wife to Sanctuary House on 12th January.
After the visit, General Manager Sarah Tumelty said: “We are honoured that His Excellency has agreed to take on the patronage. It was evident from his visit that be will be an active and committed patron. Both he and Dr Kyd have already pledged their support and we are eager to work with them to continue shining a light on Jersey’s homeless issue and preventing people from reaching a crisis point in the first place.”
On Friday night (27th January), His Excellency and Dr Kyd paid an unscheduled visit to St Brelade’s Parish Hall to support Sanctuary trustee Tim Ringsdore as he embarked on the first of his 12 Parish Sleep Out challenge. This year, Tim is spending one night each month sleeping rough outside a different parish hall to raise awareness and funds for Sanctuary Trust.
Pictured: Left to right – Trustee Reverend Mark Bond, Trustee Debbie Prosser, Dr Karen Kyd, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd, General Manager Sarah Tumelty (credit: Max Burnett)
