Donations in memory of Hannah Benfield to Alderney rescue groups

Tuesday, 6 October 2026 08:50

The RNLI, CIAS and St John Ambulance and, below, flowers left in tribute to Hannah Benfield.

The family of Hannah Benfield have thanked people for their messages and flowers, as they request any further tributes be in support of Alderney charities.

Writing on social media, a spokesperson for the Cox family says 'The amount of love that has been shown for Hannah, and to all of us, has been completely overwhelming.'

The 34 year old mum of two was found dead at the base of cliffs early last Monday morning (28 September).

Since then, flowers have been left outside the family's businesses, the Farm Shop and Jean Stores, where Hannah worked and was well-known to the community of just over 2,000 islanders.

"The flowers, cards, messages, meals, kind words and countless offers of support have been phenomenal…we simply cannot thank you enough.

"At such an incredibly difficult time, the kindness of our island community has meant more than we could ever put into words."

The flowers are now being moved to The Guns.

The statement goes on to suggest that anyone wanting to do something in Hannah's memory considers donating to Channel Islands Air Search, St John Ambulance Guernsey & Alderney or The RNLI Alderney Lifeboat Station.

All three organisations were involved in the search for her.

44 year old Simon Benfield has been charged with murder and remanded into custody to appear in court again later this month.

Meanwhile, the wreckage of a car - discovered during the search for Hannah last Monday - has been recovered from the base of the cliffs at The Guns.

A UK Ministry of Defence Chinook helicopter was used to lift the vehicle, with help from rope teams from Avon and Somerset Police.

It has been collected by Guernsey Police from Port Soif.