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Campaigner awarded BEM has 'made a huge impact'

Josie Carey Jeannine, Zoe and Josie all smile at the camera at an awards event as Zoe and Josie hold awards and trophies with Jeannine in the middle. They're arms and around each other. Behind them is are balloons that spell out JSAD.Josie Carey
Jeannine Carey (centre) has been praised by daughters Zoe (left) and Josie (right)

A Jersey woman who has been awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year Honours has "made a huge impact" for the disabled community, according to her family.

Jeannine Carey has been recognised for helping make sport more inclusive through her 47 years work with Jersey Sports Association for the Disabled (JSAD).

Her two daughters, Josie and Zoe Carey, both coach and volunteer with JSAD and have praised their mother's contribution to the community.

Zoe said: "She gives everything she can to everyone else and she'll always put herself last".

Josie Carey All three smile at the camera at the finish line of the Jersey Marathon. They're wearing bright orange tops and black running leggings.Josie Carey
Jeannine has worked with Jersey Marathon so that disabled runners could enter teams in the race

Jeannine started working with people with special educational needs when she was 14-years-old before gaining sports training qualifications and working to make physical activities more accessible.

Josie said: "Mum plays such a vital role to the community and I think a lot of time she didn't get the recognition she deserved because she doesn't like the camera and getting awards."

Zoe added: "You see first-hand the impact she's had and she's created such an inclusive environment as well and when we younger – there weren't that many groups that did this."

Josie was named JSAD's coach of the year for 2024 and descrived as a "beacon of hope" at the Special Gym Club as she follows in her mother's footsteps.

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