Local Freemasons joined forces with Directors of Autism Guernsey Jerry Girard, Dr Nick King and Andrew Sparks and the Guernsey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA), run by Steve Bryne, to raise much-needed funds for the charities, as well as sponsorship of 60 handcrafted puffins, painted by artists, school children, community groups and local companies.
They were then invited to Government House, where Patron of Autism Guernsey Louise Cripwell and Patron of the GSPCA and Lieutenant Governor Richard Cripwell CB, CBE hosted the launch of the Puffin Parade by unveiling one of the beautifully painted puffins.
Steve Byrne said:
‘We are now officially in puffin arrival month as the real birds start to nest along our incredible coastline. It was so nice to meet so many of the sponsors and artists and for the first puffin to be unveiled,’
Previously, the GSPCA team, supported by volunteers from Guernsey Freemasons, ensured the 60 puffins were located in local businesses, schools, churches, local visitor attractions and restaurants throughout the island, with one located in the neighbouring island of Herm.
The children of the Bailiwick of Guernsey were then invited to enter a competition, which involved spotting all puffins on the parade using an app that let the whole community get involved. The 12 most popular puffins will also be captured in a 2024 diary to celebrate the popular event and raise additional funds.
The curtain raiser will be the puffin auction at St Pierre Park Hotel, when all 60 will be on display and where businesses and individuals can bid for their favourite. The event demonstrates the link between local Freemasonry, charities and the community, who collectively raised around £80,000 for two deserving charities.
