Barclays Inspirational Woman Award presented to local charity founder

James Qualtrough | March 22, 2013 | 0 Comments

L-R: Jenny Clayton from Barclays and Rose Helie

Rose Helie has been awarded the Barclays Inspirational Woman Award in association with Jersey Women’s Refuge.

The award was presented at a breakfast celebration at The Royal Yacht Hotel on Friday 8 March to mark International Women’s Day.

Mrs Helie is the founder of Mustard Seed Jersey, a small charity set up in 1998 to ease suffering in Eastern Europe by providing opportunities to enable people to become self-sufficient through humanitarian aid and funding various projects.

“Rose inspires so many people to support and get involved with the work Mustard Seed Jersey does,” said Lorna Kearney, manager of the Jersey Women’s Refuge.

“She is synonymous with the shoebox appeals which make such a huge contribution to the worthy causes her charity supports overseas,” she said.

Members of the public were asked to nominate local inspirational women for the award and nearly 30 nominations were received and reviewed by the judging panel made up of Rozelle Sutherland, chair of the Jersey Women’s Refuge, Sophie Le Sueur, who won the award last year, and Jenny Clayton from Barclays Wealth and Investment Management.

Commenting on the award and the judging process, Jenny Clayton said: “The number and quality of nominees was very strong this year and we had a very difficult task in identifying a winner.

“Barclays Wealth and Investment Management is pleased to support Jersey Women’s Refuge and the Inspirational Woman Award each year as it is so important to recognise the fantastic work that is undertaken by local women in the community. This award is just one way that we can draw attention to those activities and acknowledge the commitment made to make a difference.”

“Rose is an inspiring example of a local woman who does a huge amount of work for charity and we hope this award both helps to highlight her achievements and show her just how appreciative the Jersey community is of the work she does.”

Each submission was assessed by the judges against a set of core criteria including the impact the individual has on others, how they have inspired others and their use of creativity to make an impact.

Three women were shortlisted by the judges for the award and the runners up were Pat Robson and Lynsey Beahan.

Pat Robson from Harbour Gallery Jersey, the largest exhibiting and selling gallery in the Channel Islands, helps promote the work of over 100 local artists and craftworkers.

The judges noted that Pat enables arts and crafts to be enjoyed by many people in the island. She nurtures local talent and uses the medium of art to help and inspire people with learning difficulties and mental health problems.

Lynsey Beahan is the fundraising manager at Jersey Hospice, a charity that offers free hospice services for all Jersey residents including an in-patient unit, day hospice care, physiotherapy and care within the community.

The judges highlighted that Lynsey makes the most of every minute of the day and is a fantastic example of someone who wants to give in addition to her day job. She is a great ambassador for a number of good causes including the Samaritans, Women’s Refuge, Autism Jersey, Overseas Aid and Oxfam.

The breakfast celebration also included a performance by classic girl group Tre, a talk by Dr. Hilary Abrahams, an author and researcher into domestic abuse and a sketch by Trudi Roscouet which was dedicated to the late Pat Dubras.

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.