Alderney Week

Busy with preparations for this year's packed Alderney Week and Alderney Week PLUS programmes, the Alderney Week Team will shortly be appealing for volunteers to help them organise and run some of the events. It was therefore a welcome surprise when two young Guernsey boys Luke Chart and Jamie Salmon, who are taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards challenge, decided they would fly over in August to help the Alderney Week Team during Alderney Week 2012. Luke (right) and Jamie (left) are both 17 years old and students at Guernsey Grammar Sixth Form. Both, like a number of Alderney school children, are taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award Scheme. Asked why they chose to volunteer for Alderney Week, Luke explained "As part of our Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, we are required to complete a residential section. This involves spending at least 5 days and 4 nights away from home with not more than 1 other person that you know. The aim is to either do some volunteer work, assist with a conservation project or take part in an activity holiday or other course. " I have spent many holidays in Alderney with my family and in the past Jamie and I have spent some time in Alderney during Alderney Week . We know how much fun it is and thought it would be a good idea for a residential project because we would not only be helping out the community but we would also be having fun and being part of a well organised team. We are happy to take on any tasks. We do have friends in Alderney but will probably be staying at the campsite. Alderney Week Team leader Ronnie Cairnduff said "We are absolutely delighted with Luke's and Jamie's decision to join us this year. We are always keen to involve youngsters in all aspects of running Alderney Week events and it would be great to see a few more Alderney kids come forward and get involved. These youngsters will learn quite a lot of useful skills and they are guaranteed to have a brilliant time." So, let's hope plenty more youngsters will give the Alderney Week Team a helping hand this year, cause we're not getting any younger and need all the help we can get!