Savills Guernsey signs up to support two local charities

The residential sales team will donate a portion of its fees to both Guernsey Motor Neurone (GMN) and Les Bourgs Hospice in 2025.

About GMN

Guernsey Motor Neurone delivers care and support for anyone living with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) on the island, as well as their carers and families.

The registered charity works alongside local health professionals including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, MND nursing teams and speech therapists to provide services for people diagnosed with MND and their loved ones.

They also have a well-stocked equipment store from which they loan out much needed apparatus free of charge - everything from armchairs, ramps and hoists through to fully powered wheelchairs, electric beds and bathing aids.

Other services include support and advice for home adaptations - such as help getting upstairs or creating a downstairs bathroom or wet room - and providing assistance for those with MND who visit the island.

GMN's publicity officer Susie Hunt returned to Guernsey after her sister was diagnosed with MND in 2022.

"Most of us [at the charity] have a very personal link to the disease - that's our motivation for wanting to raise the profile and provide as much support as possible," she said.

"MND is relentless and a diagnosis can be traumatic and overwhelming, but there are many avenues of support available.

"Access to the right equipment and home aids, for example, can have an enormous impact on both the physical and mental wellbeing of those with MND.

"Our equipment store stocks a huge array of supplies to take away some of the strain and worry - and if we don't have what someone needs, we'll try and source it.

"I'd encourage anyone who might need our help or would simply like more information on how we can assist to get in touch."

Commenting on the support the charity receives locally, Susie continued: "We are indebted to everyone who holds fundraising events for GMN - however large of small.

"The Big Hour in February was particularly amazing - with people encouraged to give up their time to teach something, hold an activity class or volunteer in exchange for a donation.

"It was a huge success and we raised £30,000. We're planning to hold it again next year - so watch this space.

"We are so grateful for everyone's help and to businesses like Savills for their ongoing support. It helps us to raise money, but just as importantly, it helps us to raise awareness so that we can make the lives of those who are diagnosed with this terrible disease more bearable."

About Les Bourgs

Les Bourgs Hospice provides free, specialist palliative care to those suffering from life limiting illnesses in the Bailiwick community.

As well as a respite service, the charity provides end of life care and also runs support services for families and friends, including bereavement support for children and young families.

Les Bourgs Hospice relies 100% on the generosity of the public to keep it operational - with 83p in every £1 going towards people's care.

Les Bourgs was founded in 1991 by Greville Mitchell OBE and his wife Lisa who recognised the need for a dedicated hospice in Guernsey to provide the highest levels of compassionate and professional care to patients suffering from life-limiting illnesses, as well as their loved ones.

Based at Andrew Mitchell House, the property underwent a substantial redevelopment in 2011 to create a purpose-built state of the art hospice which is large enough to meet local needs.

CEO Rob Jones said "Hospices have always centred their approach on the understanding that, at the end of life, caring for the whole person and their family is the compassionate thing to do.

"We see first-hand how the people in our care and their loved ones benefit and it's through the generosity of our supporters that we're able to continue providing our services.

"Last year in particular saw demand increase significantly and the complexity of care we provide rise. We have also seen more young people with younger families spend their last days and weeks cared for by our nursing team.

"We are delighted to have teamed up with Savills and I'd like to thank them in advance for their support. The help of the local business community means a great deal and enables us to continue the vital work we do for Guernsey families."

Supporting the community

Stuart Leslie, head of residential sales at Savills Guernsey, said they were happy to support both causes.

"We're looking forward to helping Guernsey Motor Neurone and Les Bourgs raise much needed funds throughout the year, as well as increasing awareness of what they do.

"Both charities provide a vital service that's important to a lot of people - delivering much needed support and assistance for so many individuals and families across the island."