Guernsey charity to open new doors courtesy of Deutsche Bank

Tuesday 09 March 2010

A Guernsey charity is set to unveil its refurbished premises at a coffee morning this week, thanks to sustained commitment totalling over £10,000 from Deutsche Bank.

The Ron Short Centre at Beau Sejour, which opened its doors for the very first time in 1977, is holding a coffee morning on Wednesday 10th March between 10am and 12pm at which it will unveil the latest phase in its refurbishment plans. This includes a new purpose-built double door entrance to its conservatory shop, which sells jewellery, toys, books, CDs, bric-a-brac and second hand clothes.

The refurbishment has been made possible as a result of a three year commitment from Deutsche Bank, which is donating £3,500 each year to the charity. The funds will support the Centre with its fundraising activities, further refurbishments to its headquarters and ongoing administration costs.

The Ron Short Centre provides help for people in Guernsey with physical, mobility and sensory disabilities. It was the winning Guernsey charity in Deutsche Bank’s Community Challenge initiative in 2007 that formed part of its 35th anniversary of being in the Channel Islands, when more than 60 bank staff, local business representatives and members of the public helped give it a thorough makeover over the course of a weekend. Staff at the bank have now decided to extend this relationship and continue their long term support through this latest financial commitment.

Andreas Tautscher, chief country officer, Deutsche Bank Channel Islands, said:

"Staff at Deutsche Bank have a real connection with the Ron Short Centre, stemming from our Community Challenge anniversary initiative a few years ago. I am delighted that we are able to make a commitment in this way that should help the Centre in planning for its future and ensuring that it can continue to make a real, positive difference to people in Guernsey.”

Beryl Vaudin, Chairperson of the Ron Short Centre, added:

“We are always looking at ways we can improve how we go about our fundraising activities and our recently opened shop is an important part of that. Now that we have a new, purpose built entrance for it means that it is far better for when we hold our regular monthly coffee mornings and our summer and autumn fetes. We’re absolutely delighted with these improvements and extremely grateful to Deutsche Bank for their ongoing support and I hope to welcome a lot of people through our new doors on Wednesday morning.”