AoS celebrates its 10th anniversary in Jersey. Terry Brown, who helped set up AoS on the island and who's a ship visitor there gives us an insight into its beginnings.
"Monsignor Nicholas France, Parish Priest and Catholic Dean in Jersey and one time AoS Trustee put out an appeal in 2007 for someone to set up the organisation in Jersey, being an island and relying on shipping he thought AoS should have a presence in Jersey.
"The Knights of St. Columba, Council 216, Jersey took on this task and and in 2008 a branch of AoS was set up in Jersey with the kind assistance of the Ports of Jersey. Five members of the Knights of St Columba became volunteer ship visitors, a couple of years later one lady joined our ranks.
"The ships that arrive in Jersey include small coasters, gas and oil tankers and ferries on route to and from Poole and Portsmouth and St. Malo, the crews of which are all visited by our AoS volunteers. At Christmas and Easter periods we join forces with MtS Jersey, to take on board woolly hats, toiletries, biscuits, confectionery and greeting cards for each crew member all donated by Islanders.
"Every year for the past six or seven years AoS Jersey together with the Knights of St Columba, on May Bank Holiday have a fund raising function, a Sponsored Walking on Water to France, walking around St. Catherines’ Breakwater 18 times, the distance of 23 km to the coast of France.
"Proceeds of the income is shared 80% with AoS and 20% with the Knights of St Columba Charity Fund, Jersey. So far about £20,000 has been raised for AoS UK. This again was the brainchild of Monsignor Nicholas to whom AoS Jersey is saying a fond farewell as he leaves for retirement in September."
Monsignor Nicholas France
* There's a brilliant article in the latest edition of Portsmouth People about AoS Jersey celebrating its 10th anniversary.
It's compiled by Greg Watts. AoS Jersey ship visitor Terry Brown speaks about how he helped set up Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) in Jersey. Terry was a former merchant seaman himself.
We'd like to wish a huge congratulations and say a big THANK YOU to all our wonderful ship visitors, volunteers and supporters on the island for their amazing dedication and great work with seafarers.
The article can be read online here. It's on page 27.
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