Christmas charity collection row

Volunteers were fundraising in King Street in the build up to Christmas

A row has broken out between two Jersey charities over fund-raising collections in the build-up to Christmas.

The Aids Care and Education Trust (ACET) was collecting at the weekend, raising awareness of World Aids Day.

But Edward Trevor, the chairman of the Jersey Christmas Appeal, thinks only his charity should be able to collect in St Helier at this time of year.

He called the police, but ACET - which had permission to collect - has accused him of "harassing" volunteers.

Rosemary Ruddy, director of ACET, told BBC Jersey: "The chairman of the Christmas Appeal even went to the lengths of asking the police to remove us from the street.

"That is absolutely appalling and some of the opinions expressed showed a highly judgemental approach and prejudice from someone who's heading the Jersey Christmas Appeal.

"I found that very, very sad and very concerning."

The Jersey Christmas Appeal collects money to give food hampers to needy islanders at Christmas.

Last year it raised £100,000 for families in Jersey.

'Absolutely extraordinary'

Mr Trevor has now written to the Bailiff to complain that the aids charity was allowed to collect money in St Helier at the weekend.

He said: "Somebody told me there were masses of people collecting for aids and I couldn't believe it, because as I understood it the only people allowed to collect between the launch and Christmas Eve in the town, other than those given permission by the arts council, is the Jersey Christmas Appeal.

"Firstly I rang the police, and then I went along and they said they had a permit from the Bailiff which I found absolutely extraordinary.

"I told them I thought it was appalling they were collecting at a time when it should be the Jersey Christmas Appeal."

On its website, the Association of Jersey Charities, says: "The Bailiff exercises a customary right over the collecting of money in public places.

"The permission of the Bailiff rather than the constable is required for any such public collection."

David Filipponi, the chief officer from the Bailiff's chambers has confirmed ACET did have a permit to collect money at the weekend.