IT would be impossible for the JEP to highlight all the worthy causes that Islanders are supporting in this year’s Island Walk, but here are some of the reasons people are taking to Jersey’s coastline today…
‘Fantastic’ to see the Island come together
Former Jersey FA men’s Island captain James Scott is part of a group of 12 who were closing in on their £30,000 fundraising target on Friday.
Mr Scott jokingly described “Team Walkette” as a group of “middle-aged” friends raising money for a “great” cause: Variety – the Children’s Charity of Jersey.
“It’s going to be a hot one,” said Mr Scott.
But Mr Scott said they were “looking forward to it” as they would be helping support the “outstanding work Variety do for a lot of children in need”.
Mr Scott told the JEP it was the third time he had done the walk, although “never in these warm conditions” which he said would make it “slightly more challenging”.
“More than anything else it’s a great event for the Island and it’s always good to see so many people getting into it,” he said.
A few of the group were coming over from Liverpool and would get to see Jersey in its “full glory” which Mr Scott described as “fantastic”.
Donations can be made here.
The importance of staying safe while supporting ‘worthy’ causes
Walking in full kit, seventeen firefighters will be raising money for the Fire Fighters Charity, which provides support to serving and retired firefighters and their families, and the Around the Island Walk Trust, which supports Jersey charities and grassroots community initiatives in the Island.
Deputy chief fire officer Bryn Coleman said the teams were walking for “two incredibly worthwhile causes” and would “greatly appreciate any public support or sponsorship as they take on this demanding but meaningful effort”.
Mr Coleman said the teams were made up of “highly trained professionals who regularly work in extreme heat, often facing temperatures of up to 1,000°C for short, intense periods during operational incidents and in training”.
Firefighters are trained to recognise the early signs of heat stress and dehydration and would constantly monitor each other, he said.
“The service has built in multiple layers of risk mitigation to ensure that while the challenge remains tough, it is undertaken responsibly,” said Mr Coleman.
He added: “Firefighters are trained to do dangerous things safely every day – it’s part of the job.
“This challenge is no different; it’s being approached with the same care, professionalism and teamwork that underpin everything we do.”
The firefighters have raised more than double their £1,000 fundraising target already.
Donations can be made here.
A ‘personal’ charity
Hanni Osman, who set up business Meroe guitars as part of his own recovery from addiction issues, told the JEP that during the pandemic his problems with alcohol became “uncontrollable” and he “sought treatment”.
He said: “The drug and alcohol service referred me to Silkworth where I stayed for two months, free of charge. For me music is extremely therapeutic, as is nature and both form a big part of my recovery process.
“When I arrived there was no guitar for residents to use. I had brought my own but while there I decided to build a handmade guitar for the centre for anyone to use. I also entered myself for the Island Walk. I had done it before and try to challenge myself physically and mentally and the walk offers the benefit of doing it on behalf of a good cause.”
Mr Osman said doing the walk for Silkworth was testament to their “amazing work”.
He said: “It’s a win win for me – exercise, a walk in nature, listening to my music, all while raising money for charity.
“I’m hoping to set a good pace this year and have already exceeded the amount I raised last year!”
Donations can be made here.
‘Tragic’ passing
Max Le Feuvre is doing the Island Walk with his friend Diogo Teixeira in memory of their close friend Remy Hidrio, who ” tragically and unexpectedly” passed away last October at 26.
The friends are using the walk “as an opportunity” to raise money for Jersey Hospice Care, which was chosen by Mr Hidrio’s family.
“As well as being a personal challenge, the walk will be a fantastic way to celebrate the memory of a beloved friend taken far too soon, and in doing so raise money for a wonderful and deserving local charity that gives so much to our island community,” they wrote, on their fundraising page.
Donations can be made here.
“Protecting and empowering” women
Simon Youden is walking the challenge for the second time to raise money for domestic abuse charity Freeda, formerly known as Jersey Women’s Refuge.
The charity’s mission is to “protect and empower women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, so they can take control of their lives, enabling them to live free from fear, as well as to engage with and support our Island community to prevent such abuse”.
“I must be mad to do it for a second time but please support me in this challenge and raising funds for such a worthy cause,” he wrote, on his fundraising page, which can be found here.
Chosen charities
The Jersey charities chosen by the Around the Island Walk Trust this year are: ArtHouse Jersey, Autism Jersey, Caring Cooks, Family First, Jersey Eating Disorders Support, Les Amis, The Salvation Army, St Andrew’s Church, Tiny Seeds and 7 Overseas (Island of Jersey) Squadron Air Training Corps.
Smaller donations of around £1,000 are made to charities and organisations that help run the event: Girlguiding Jersey, the Jersey ambulance service and the 10th Jersey Scout Group.
