Sarah Groves Foundation helps Team Guernsey get footloose at Dance World Cup

Almost a hundred local dancers are heading off to Prague in the Czech Republic to go for gold at the Dance World Cup, kitted out with support from The Sarah Groves Foundation.  

Team Guernsey

Team Guernsey, composed of 92 dancers aged between 6-18 from GATE and Starlight, aims to continue its tradition of excellence and bring home more medals, representing the whole island with pride. They will compete across various dance styles, including tap, ballet, jazz, song and dance, and lyrical.  

The fantastic kit bearing Sarah’s name

The Sarah Groves Foundation has been a vital supporter of Team Guernsey, ensuring that young dancers from the island can compete on the international stage. In 2022, the Foundation stepped in last minute to provide crucial funding for the team's kit, enabling 92 students to participate in the finals in San Sebastian, Spain, where Guernsey won gold in the Junior Large Group Song and Dance category. 

Vic Groves, Managing Trustee of the Sarah Groves Foundation, said: "Supporting Team Guernsey is a wonderful way to honour Sarah's legacy. Seeing these talented dancers bearing Sarah's name on their shirts as they compete internationally is very touching. 

 "Sarah loved sport, and the Foundation's core pillars - Children, Art, Fitness, and Adventure - are perfectly encapsulated by these talented young dancers flying to Prague to engage in friendly competition. We wish Team Guernsey the best of luck and will be cheering them on all the way."  

Going for gold!

 Helen Colmer, Sponsorship Coordinator of the Dance World Cup, said: "We feel very lucky to be taking such a large dance team to represent Guernsey across to Prague next week to compete in the Dance World Cup Finals. The children have worked so hard and are certainly ready to showcase their talent on the world stage. We’d like to thank The Sarah Groves Foundation, who kindly supplied the team kit, as well as our other sponsors: Guernsey Arts, Grant Thornton and Oak Group who contributed towards the event fees. This is such an exciting opportunity for the dancing community, and we hope to make our island proud as well as making some incredible memories along the way.” 

Go Guernsey!

Catherine Webster, co-principal at GATE, said: "Flying 59 GATE students to Prague is no small task – we are thankful to the parents for chaperoning and making it possible. GATE has previously won three gold medals at the World Cup, and with 62 countries competing this year, we know the competition will be fierce. However, we remain hopeful. We are so pleased with the kit, it looks fantastic, and the children love it!" 

The Gatehouse is taking shape!

The Gatehouse is shaping up at the Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden in Saumarez Park! It is a project that the Sarah Groves Foundation is proud to support and we have donated £50,000 to the Guernsey Botanical Trust to help bring this exciting vision to reality. The donation is primarily being used to complete the learning centre, where children and young people of all ages will have the opportunity to learn the art and craft of gardening. #sarahgrovesfoundation #gardening #guernsey

Sarah Groves Foundation spreads Christmas joy with children's bicycle donation

30 Guernsey children will be waking up to a new bike and helmet this Christmas, thanks to a donation from the Sarah Groves Foundation. It's the sixth year the Foundation has donated bicycles to less fortunate children as a festive surprise.

With the help of Ian Brown's Cycle Shop, the Sarah Groves Foundation made sure no child, whatever their circumstance, went without. When faced with the prospect of a disabled child needing a slightly sturdier bike, the Foundation stepped up to the challenge with the added donation of a specially ordered tricycle.

Sarah's mother, Kate, has organised the donation with various agencies and charities such as HomeStart, Kindred Children's Centre, Safer and Bright Beginnings. Together they carefully selected who would receive this generous gift come Christmas morning. Kate says it wouldn't be possible without the hard work and generosity of many islanders:

"The reason the Sarah Groves Foundation is so successful is down to the people of the island, pulling together to help contribute to our funding and fulfil our message of enhancing and bringing happiness to young lives.

"Everyone remembers their first big Christmas present as a child, and I know it would've meant a great deal to Sarah, knowing that on Christmas morning, a child who might otherwise have gone without a meaningful present feels that same excitement and joy that Sarah had".

Amy Hook of Bright Beginnings said how these donations affect the lives of the children she works with:

"Not only do donations such as this bring much-needed smiles to the children's faces, but they also bring reassurance for parents struggling financially with the cost of living crisis. It is comforting for them to know they can bring the magic of Christmas to their children's lives."

Keeping this initiative going is a team effort, and the Sarah Groves Foundation would like to thank Ian Brown’s Cycle Shop and everyone involved with this heart-warming annual tradition.

Happy and healthy!

We recently enjoyed one of the Guernsey Sports Commission’s (GSC) Street Sports sessions. Through our partnership with the GSC and the Health Improvement Commission, we are funding the provision of free fruit and vegetables during these sessions. Watch the video to see what it means to the children. #sarahgrovesfoundation

The Sarah Groves Foundation helps sow the seeds of education

The Sarah Groves Foundation is proud to support the Guernsey Botanical Trust LBG by donating £50,000 to its exciting new Gatehouse and learning centre at the Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden in Saumarez Park. The donation is primarily being used to complete the learning centre, where children and young people of all ages will have the opportunity to learn the art and craft of gardening.

From left to right: Kate Groves, Jayne Spicer, Raymond Evison, Vic Groves

The Guernsey Botanical Trust has been running horticultural educational sessions for many years, allowing the island’s primary schools to enjoy learning where some of their food originates from. It has also worked with the Guernsey Youth Commission and some of the secondary schools. However, with very outdated facilities, running the service has been challenging.

The idea of building a dedicated, modern learning centre was conceived in 2006 when the trustees considered establishing a space where an interest in gardening could be rooted in islanders from a young age. Sixteen years on, the project is finally a reality.

“This is a most generous donation from the Sarah Groves Foundation”, said Raymond Evison OBE, VMH, President of the Guernsey Botanical Trust. Raymond, also a Vice President of the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), said: “We are immensely grateful for the charity’s support in helping fund this project. We also want to thank the RHS educational team for their advice.

“We were especially pleased that Sue Biggs CBE, the former Director General of the RHS, was able to visit the gardens in April this year. She was most impressed by the building and the learning centre’s potential.”

“Looking to the future, the Gatehouse will provide children with gardening opportunities to learn, create, plant and discover where their food comes from and how it is grown. I strongly believe that children are given the opportunity to get hands-on with plants to understand their lifecycle – from seed to shoot, to flower and fruit.”

The Gatehouse taking shape

Visitors will learn the background of the period flowers, fruits, and vegetables grown in the garden. A terrace will provide a space for children to enjoy being surrounded by nature, inspiring them to get outside and develop an enjoyment of gardening. 

A focus on young people is important for Vic Groves, Managing Trustee of the Sarah Groves Foundation, who said:

“Our mission is to fulfil Sarah’s ambition in life: to enhance young lives. The new Gatehouse will allow children to learn and develop their passion for horticulture. It will complement the wonderful Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden, which is such a tranquil place.

“The benefits of gardening for children are wide-ranging, from improving physical and mental well-being to building life skills such as confidence, teamwork and communication. Health and well-being were very important to Sarah, and she would be thrilled to see the new opportunities being created in this peaceful setting. The Gatehouse will leave a positive legacy for future generations to enjoy.”

Jayne Spicer, Director of the Guernsey Botanical Trust, said:

“The Gatehouse will be a focal point for horticulture in Guernsey, and we look forward to welcoming everyone later in the year. We want to thank all our supporters, particularly the Sarah Groves Foundation, without whom this community project would not have been possible.

“Without our volunteers, the garden would not and could not exist. With this new centre opening soon, we’re looking for more volunteers to help run the Gatehouse and gardens. There is a wide range of activities they can help with, such as gardening tasks, running the shop, making local craft items, assisting at fundraising events, running guided tours, and helping with social media. Please get in touch if you want to get involved.”

Jayne can be contacted on 01481 722181 or jayneespicer@gmail.com

Sarah Groves Foundation fuelling the sports stars of the future

Hundreds of young people in Guernsey can continue to enjoy healthy snacks thanks to the Sarah Groves Foundation. Through our partnership with the Health Improvement Commission (HIC) and the Guernsey Sports Commission (GSC), the Foundation is funding the provision of free fruit and vegetables during the GSC’s Street Sports sessions.

Managing Trustee of the Sarah Groves Foundation, Vic Groves, said:

“Sarah’s mission in life was to enhance young lives, so we always look to help our local young people. During the pandemic and cost of living crisis, many in our community have faced and continue to face food insecurity. Eating healthily was very important to Sarah, and she would be proud to know that we are helping provide healthy opportunities for Guernsey’s children and young people.”

Community Nutritionist at the Health Improvement Commission, Alex Kosmas, said:

“The Street Sports sessions offer a safe, healthy and engaging environment for young people to socialise and be active. The team have been offering free fruit for all who attend, which provides an excellent opportunity to access and try out a variety of fruits. Enjoying the experience with friends helps normalise attitudes to fruit.

“We are very grateful to the Sarah Groves Foundation for helping to continue the funding, as we know the project positively impacts young people’s health. As for future plans, we are also looking to introduce vegetable snacks as part of the sessions.”

More than 200 young people attend Street Sports each year, and Stephanie Batiste, the Street Sports Coordinator from the GSC, said the project has long-lasting benefits:

“Street Sports aims to harness the power of sport to create positive change in the lives of disadvantaged young people in Guernsey. And thanks to the Sarah Groves Foundation, we can combine activity with healthy eating to help young people become healthier and happier.”

From left to right: Alex Kosmas from the Health Improvement Commission, Vic Groves from the Sarah Groves Foundation, Stephanie Batiste from the Guernsey Sports Commission

Children enjoying free fruit at a Street Sports session. Photo courtesy of the Guernsey Sports Commission

Children enjoying free fruit at a Street Sports session. Photo courtesy of the Guernsey Sports Commission

Sarah Groves Foundation saves the day for World Cup hopefuls

The Sarah Groves Foundation has stepped in to help three local dance schools to compete as Team Guernsey in the 2022 Dance World Cup in Spain after the original sponsorship fell through.

We discovered that the team lacked the funds to pay for their kit, which costs almost £4,500. The uniform is essential for the team as it allows them to represent the island in San Sebastian between 24 June and 2 July. The Dance World Cup is taking place for the first time since 2018 due to the pandemic.

Kits have been purchased for all 68 competitors who are aged between 7 and 18. They are members of GATE, the Starlight Academy, and the Guernsey Irish Dance Academy. They will compete under the Guernsey flag across various dance styles, including tap, modern, ballet, song and dance, and jazz. The kits proudly feature the Sarah Groves Foundation logo. Our Managing Trustee, Vic Groves, said:

“We were so pleased to support the Guernsey Dance Team to help them get to the Dance World Cup to represent the island. Sarah’s mission in life was to enhance young lives, so we are always looking to help our local young people, and this certainly fits the bill.

“Sport was very important to Sarah, so it was a natural fit to support a cause that blends two aspects of her life. We are very proud to see these young competitors with Sarah’s name on their kit, and we will be rooting for them as they go for gold.”

Team mascot Fin, flag bearer Katie, and team captain Maisie. Thanks to Pierre Bisson of gsyphoto.com for the photo

Sponsorship Coordinator of the Guernsey Dance Team, Helen Colmer, said:

“We are very grateful to the Sarah Groves Foundation, which has helped us represent our island at the eleventh hour. The team has worked so hard to qualify for the World Cup, and it will be a privilege for our students to perform in Sarah’s memory. We hope to make her proud.

“The Sarah Groves Foundation has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing young lives, and we are thankful to be part of Sarah’s mission.”

Children's book loans increase by a third thanks to the Sarah Groves Foundation

New figures from the Guille-Allès Children's Library in Guernsey show a significant increase in the number of young people taking out books. In the first year since its redevelopment, children's book loans increased by 32%. The Sarah Groves Foundation supported the Guille-Allès Library in St Peter Port by donating £50,000 to its redevelopment. It means a tremendous amount to us that the main room carry's Sarah's name for posterity.

The Sarah Groves Foundation helping Art for Guernsey

With immense pride, the Sarah Groves Foundation is supporting Art for Guernsey by donating £50,000 to the exciting new art gallery in St Peter Port. Sarah was a keen and talented artist, and we are helping to fund the creation of the Children's Workshop and Gallery. We will also be providing £15,000 towards running costs. We aim to enhance young lives. To achieve this, we have four keywords derived from Sarah's passions in life – children, art, fitness and adventure. This project will leave a positive legacy from which Sarah's name will be remembered. #sarahgrovesfoundation #artforguernsey #art

The Sarah Groves Foundation continues to support Home-Start Guernsey

Parents and carers with pre-school children in Guernsey will continue to enjoy a choice of three family drop-in centres throughout 2022 thanks to the Sarah Groves Foundation, which has agreed to fund the Dragonflies project with a donation of £23,000.

Dragonflies is run by Home-Start Guernsey, which the Foundation has supported for seven years, contributing more than £140,000 to the charity. Vic Groves, Managing Trustee of the Sarah Groves Foundation, said:

“Our mission is to fulfil Sarah’s ambition in life: to enhance young lives. One way to do this is through art, and Dragonflies gives children the opportunity to explore different crafts and activities with their parents.

“We’re proud that the Foundation’s annual donations to Home-Start have created this fantastic resource for our community and are very grateful to the volunteers who help look after the next generation.”

Dragonflies offers a free resource for local parents and children by supporting learning and development and providing a space for parents to share their experiences. The groups are open to all, free of charge, 52 weeks a year. They operate between 9:30-11:30 am every Tuesday at Wesley Methodist Church Hall in St. Peter Port, every Thursday at Les Camps Methodist Church Hall in St. Martin’s, and every Friday at Styx Community Centre in St. Peter’s. In 2021 more than one thousand people attended the sessions. Emma Cusack, Home-Start coordinator, said:

“We are forever grateful for the generosity of the Sarah Groves Foundation. Our Dragonflies parent and toddler groups are a lifeline for many people in Guernsey. They provide a safe and happy environment for children to play, learn and interact, as well as offering vital social networking opportunities for parents and carers.”

Donation of children's bikes

The Sarah Groves Foundation has donated a record number of bicycles to children from poorer families in Guernsey this Christmas. 39 children received a big surprise on Christmas Day when they received their bikes paid for by the Foundation, costing around £10,000. It's the fifth year the Foundation has donated bikes during the festive season, although COVID’s impact on supply chains prevented it last year. So for Christmas 2021 the donation came back, and bigger than ever – 39 is nearly double the normal amount! 

Sarah’s mother, Kate, has organised the donation with various agencies and charities such as HomeStart, Safer, Bright Beginnings and Ian Brown’s Cycle Shop. Kate says it wouldn't be possible without the hard work and generosity of so many islanders:

"We, as the parents of Sarah Groves, are able to do this through the Foundation that was formed out of the tragedy - but it isn't all down to us.

It's the island people who have contributed and enabled us to buy the bikes and make this happen. Really, they're a present from the people of Guernsey."

This is a team effort and the contribution, financial and otherwise, of Paul Brehaut and Ian Brown must not be underestimated. The bikes are prepared and checked to a high standard. Our thanks go to them for making this special presentation possible.

2019 & 2018 annual reports now available

We’ve uploaded our 2019 & 2018 annual reports. Head over to the bottom of the About us page and take a look at what we’ve been up to.

Rose ‘Sarah Elizabeth’ flower

This exclusive rose to Fryer’s Roses and the Blue Diamond group, is named after Sarah.

The “Sarah Elizabeth” rose is a delicate pink colour, with contrasting dark green foliage. The rose is a highly fragrant floribunda with a bushy habit, good disease resistance and grows to a height of approximately 100cm. £1 from every "Sarah Elizabeth" rose sold through Blue Diamond and Fryer's Roses online will be donated to the Sarah Groves Foundation, which we are extremely appreciative of.

Can I buy a rose 'Sarah Elizabeth' flower?

The rose is available to buy from any Blue Diamond Group Garden Centre, online from the Fryer’s Roses website or by telephoning Fryer’s Roses direct on 01565 755455.

The rose is priced at £17.99 for a potted rose (excluding delivery). Bare root roses can also be purchased at a cost of £12 per rose (excluding delivery). £1 from each rose sold is donated to the Sarah Groves Foundation.

Fryers Roses of Knutsford in Cheshire (the town from which the Groves' moved to Guernsey as a family in 1996), which is part of our local Blue Diamond Group, have brought the rose to market following three years of discussion. We are hugely indebted to our very good friends here in Guernsey, Geoff and Jenny Dorey, for supporting this initiative throughout.

Clematis 'Sarah Elizabeth' flower

A 2018 Introduction. This distinct, attractive pink almost seems to glow. The mass of flowers appear from late Spring until late Autumn. It grows to 1-2/1-5m (4/5ft ) and its subtle colours make it good for a shaded or partially shaded area.

A variety of clematis flower has officially been named after Sarah. Sarah's parents, Kate & Vic Groves say the gesture is a remarkable gift and tribute to such a beautiful soul. The flower, created by Raymond Evison, is called "Sarah Elizabeth" (Elizabeth being Sarah's middle name).

Raymond has spent five decades researching, breeding, introducing and cultivating the best clematis varieties, winning 28 Chelsea gold medals including 13 consecutive golds for exhibits of Clematis cultivars from 2003-2016. This distinguished career has seen Raymond introduce over 100 clematis species and cultivars.

Can I buy a clematis 'Sarah Elizabeth' flower?

The Sarah Elizabeth variety of clematis is available for purchase at a price of £13.99 plus £5.99 postage (total £19.98) here.

The 2nd Everest Challenge – January 2020

Mount Everest is some 8850 meters above sea level, making it the highest point on earth. This equates to 115 times up Le Val des Terres hill, situated on the south end of St. Peter Port. On 1st January the challenge will begin for all abilities of fitness and is open to all age groups. This is the second time the charity event will be taking place and it is set to run over 30 consecutive days.

The event is open for individual as well as team challenges and this year we will be giving medals to all participants who raise funds for the Sarah Groves Foundation and in-turn are supporting Guernsey Mind. Each member will record their own number of laps using any suitable walking app (Garmin, Strava, etc), and we shall also be providing the JustGiving link so you can set up a sponsorship page.

Thus far some 30 people have completed the challenge and the feedback has been so encouraging from all those who have earned “Sherpa Status“. Members have not only benefited from a physical fitness perspective, but also from the amazingly positive effects on mental health, of meeting new friends, and of having a challenge with a highly rewarding end goal. If you to want to earn your “Sherpa Status” then please set up your JG page with a £115 target (which equates to £1 per circuit).

 The circuit comprises: Up Le Valles de Terres, turn right to go down to the Dorset Arms public house, turn right to go down to Havelet Bay, and repeat. Until you experience the beauty of the consistent winning feeling as you complete every circuit, then you will never appreciate just how special The Everest Challenge really is. Simply, it’s a fantastic way to kickstart your 2020 vision!

For more details follow this link: https://facebook.com/events/584672435611221/?ti=icl