The Jersey Round Island Challenge, which is sponsored by Smith & Williamson and raises money for the Grace Crocker Family Support Foundation, is now in its second year and was last year named by Red Bull as one of the most extreme fitness challenges in the UK.
That recognition by Red Bull has, according to organisers, led to an increase in participants this year and a new sixth race category has also been introduced for ocean-going surfskis – lightweight sit-on-top kayaks. The other categories are run, swim, kayak, stand up paddleboard and row, with competitors challenged to circumnavigate the Island using their chosen discipline.
The swim category has doubled in size this year with more than 50 competitors working in teams to swim around Jersey.
Last year’s event raised £30,000 to pay for a dedicated liaison nurse to support 16 different charities that are working together to improve the experience of families whose children require medical treatment in the UK.
The nurse is currently being recruited with the support of the Jersey Community Partnership and LV Home Care and will provide support, advice, and access to charitable assistance for families.
Nigel Crocker, who set up the GCFSF with his wife Sara in 2011 in memory of their daughter Grace who died from a heart condition aged just 11 weeks, said: ‘We have always been fortunate to have so many passionate supporters for our small charity, seeing so many people committing to the event, raising tens of thousands of pounds in the process.
Turning what for us was a traumatic and emotional time in our lives into something so positive for so many others is truly amazing to witness.’ Those taking part in the event include paddleboarder Joanne Hamilton-Vale, who is the world record holder for both men and women for the longest distance paddled in 24 hours, and Matt Johnson from LV Pharmacy who is due to run the full 48 miles.
