New High Sheriff of Staffordshire Announces Fund-Raising tour of the River Trent

Jamie Friend, the new High Sheriff of Staffordshire, a 1000-year-old ceremonial position, is following in the footsteps of other High Sheriffs in the 21st century by walking to raise money for the Foundation (www.staffordshire.foundation) while carrying out his ceremonial duties.

The High Sheriff is the Queen’s representative in the county for all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order. Much of the High Sheriff’s year is therefore spent supporting and encouraging the voluntary and statutory organisations who work in this area plus the Crown and Magistrates’ Courts, the Police, Prison and Probation Services.  Many High Sheriffs also assist the Community Foundation and local charities to endorse and raise the profile of their valuable work.

Due to Covid restrictions, Jamie Friend was sworn in virtually earlier this year. Jamie (63) manages the family dairy farm and has supported various voluntary groups across the area for many years. Jamie has a keen interest in nature conservation and will be promoting the enhancement and restoration of the wetlands and waterways, especially in the ‘Transforming The Trent Valley’ initiative (www.thetrentvalley.org.uk) area. He will be undertaking a walking, cycling and canoeing journey along the length of the River Trent through Staffordshire this summer, to raise funds and awareness of the The High Sheriff Fund – established in 2008 to support and promote local community and voluntary activities

The High Sheriff Fund for Staffordshire is a permanent endowment Fund administered by the Community Foundation for Staffordshire, formally established in 2008 to support local community and voluntary activities. The fund supports grass root organisations and smaller community groups in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, and normally awards are made each year by the outgoing High Sheriff at a special ceremony.

Jamie said: “I am passionate about supporting the many small, local voluntary groups within our county, who do so much to make a difference to the lives of others.  The High Sheriff Fund is there to support these extraordinary people who are working hard through Covid to bring about community cohesion and prevent social isolation. At a local level the funding can often make a transformative difference to such projects and help sustain their vital work.

I will also support the amazing emergency services, armed forces, local authorities and voluntary groups across the length and breadth of our fantastic county. I hope to visit, Covid permitting, as many as I can and highlight the invaluable work they do”.

The office of High Sheriff is an independent non-political Royal Appointment for a single year. The origins of the office date back to Saxon times when the “Shire Reeve” was responsible to the King for the maintenance of law and order within the shire, or county, and for the collection and return of taxes to the Crown. Whilst the duties of the High Sheriff have evolved over time, supporting the Crown and the Judiciary remain central elements of the role today. High Sheriffs receive no remuneration, and no part of the expense of a High Sheriff’s year falls on the public purse.

The Office of High Sheriff is apolitical and as such the High Sheriff is in a unique position to be able to bring people together within the county and to support the enormous contribution made by the emergency services, the armed forces, local authorities, church and faith groups and the voluntary community.

You can support the High Sheriff’s Fund here: www.justgiving.com/campaign/HSStaffsFund2021

Tony Walley
Tony Walley
News & Sport Editor

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