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James Coughlan, market head of the British Isles, Ireland and Luxembourg, at TMF Group, tells Emily Moore why he would encourage anyone to take part in this month’s Island Walk
WHEN was the last time that you experienced the sense of fun and fulfilment that comes from accomplishing something which not only challenges and rewards you but also has the potential to change people’s lives?
While some Islanders might take on gruelling personal challenges or daring pursuits to support a cause close to their heart, one community fundraiser which is now a staple of summer in Jersey enables hundreds of people to come together on one day both to test themselves and to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
And while every year’s Island Walk is noteworthy, this year’s, as James Coughlan, of sponsor TMF Group explains, has a special significance.
“This is the 35th anniversary of the Island Walk and the seventh consecutive year that it has been sponsored by TMF Group,” explained the company’s market head of the British Isles, Ireland and Luxembourg.
Having started its support of the walk in 2019 following the company’s acquisition of previous headline sponsor State Street, TMF Group has, over the past seven years, worked closely with the event’s organisers and trustees to further develop its appeal, making it as widely accessible to as many Islanders as possible.
“About 1,600 people took part last year, which was the highest number of entrants so far, and we are really keen to see those participation levels continue to grow, something which the different types of entry encourage,” said James.
While the event may traditionally be associated with the undeniably physically – and mentally – demanding 48.1-mile full circuit of the Island, that is far from the only way that people can take part.
“The Lieutenant-Governor’s Challenge takes place over a different leg of the walk each year,” James continued. “This is a 13-mile route, with this year’s challenge taking walkers from Les Fontaines to Le Braye. This is a fantastic opportunity to participate in the Island’s biggest one-day fundraising event and experience the incredible atmosphere and camaraderie without having to take on the full route.
“I’ve done the Lieutenant-Governor’s Challenge a couple of times. Last year, it took us from St Catherine to Les Fontaines, and walking along there as the sun rose was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. While those of us who live here are incredibly lucky to have this gorgeous, tranquil setting just minutes away from our homes, being able to share this with the many participants who travel to the Island to take part in the walk is also amazing for Jersey.”
Indeed, James says that included within the walkers registering each year is a growing number of visitors.
“We are now seeing a lot of interest from abroad, which is great not just for the profile of the event and the amount of money raised for the charities but also for the Island as a jurisdiction,” he said.
Something else which has helped to boost numbers in recent years is the One TMF Challenge, a three-mile stage from Bel Royal to the finish line at the Waterfront.
“This is something of which we are particularly proud, as it has made it possible for a much wider group of people to be a part of this incredible event,” said James. “This is a flat, paved route, which makes it far more accessible than, say, the rugged north coast which those taking on the full route have to traverse.
“Importantly, the One TMF Challenge makes the Island Walk even more inclusive, enabling all ages and all mobilities to join this tremendous community event. Seeing some of the participants in this challenge, many of whom are family members meeting a relative who has taken on the full course and accompanying them on that final stretch, can be quite emotional.
“As a business which prides itself on inclusivity, this initiative is something which really reflects our values and has enabled us to support the event’s evolution while ensuring that it stays true to its core purpose of bringing people together to raise money for local charities.”
This focus on inclusivity is, adds James, just one of the ways in which the walk aligns with TMF Group’s values.
“At TMF Group, we really want our people to engage with the local community and spend time with their colleagues and other Islanders, while also connecting with the environment,” he said. “We encourage our team to get outdoors and be active, so the Island Walk aligns with everything that we believe in.”
That, he says, is why the company’s support extends beyond a financial contribution.
“This is definitely not just a financial sponsorship, although TMF Group covers all the operational expenses associated with the event, so that all the money raised goes directly to Island charities,” he explained.
“Our team members also get behind the event, volunteering both on the day – where they man water stations, support at the start and finish lines and help move walkers’ bags between checkpoints – and in the lead-up to the event, organising everything from the ever-popular T-shirts to the walkers’ packs.
“While there is a huge buy-in from the whole TMF Jersey community, I have to give particular thanks to my executive assistant, Anna Gordinho, who really fronts this initiative and works very closely with the walk committee, trustees and our colleagues to pull everything together. I also have to thank former Island Walk committee chairman Rob Syvret and his successor, Jake Crichton, for all their work and commitment.”
And it is not just Jersey-based members of TMF Group who get involved with the event.
“Not only do we benefit from the support of colleagues in other offices to help market the event, but we also welcome a number of team members from other jurisdictions who take part in the walk each year,” said James. “Our chief executive, Mark Weil, who is based in London, has taken part a number of times, and is due to come over again this year, and last year our global head of HR also donned a pair of trainers and took part.”
This level of support, says James, underlines just how significant an event the Island Walk is.
“This is such an important event for the Island,” he said. “Since its inception, it has raised more than £3m and last year alone, it raised a record-breaking £140,000, every penny of which goes to local charities, and I have seen first-hand the impact that this money has on the individuals who benefit from the work of these amazing charities.
“When we give the money to the charities at the post-walk event, it is incredibly touching to see the impact it has. Quite often, the representatives receiving the cheques are in tears of joy because while these charities are a critical part of the Island’s infrastructure, running them and raising the money needed to maintain their services is hugely challenging.
“It is therefore a tremendous privilege to be able to facilitate their work, which is so impactful and important to the Island.”
This, he says, is a message which has been particularly poignant for the TMF Group team over the past two years.
“As a business, we have been touched quite severely by cancer in the past 24 months, losing two long-serving colleagues to the illness,” he reflected. “When we look at the Island Walk and the role it plays as a fundraiser, we see it not just from a holistic perspective, but we also recognise how important it is to support these charities which make such a difference to the individuals and families affected by cancer or the many other challenges that people may be living with.”
Picture: DAVID PRIDDIS
Of course, fundraising sits very much at the heart of the TMF Group Island Walk but this, says James, is not the only reason that anyone thinking about entering either the full route, relay, Lieutenant-Governor’s Challenge or One TMF Challenge should take the plunge.
“When people think about the Island Walk, they often think about a gruelling challenge, which will be both physically and mentally demanding,” he said. “However, what they don’t tend to think about is the amount of fun they will have along the way or the sense of achievement they will feel at the end.
“One of the most special things about this event is the level of enjoyment and camaraderie that you see along the route. You meet some amazing people while walking around the Island or along the seafront, and the fun, friendships and connections you make will really stay with you.
“The atmosphere is incredible, and the community spirit, which is so evident across the walk, really shows Jersey at its best. I would therefore encourage anyone thinking about taking part to go for it. Choose the challenge that best suits you and you will be amazed at how quickly on the day you forget about the physical side and just start enjoying the sense of fun, support and community collaboration.
“There are so many ways of participating, so pick one and enjoy the energy and enthusiasm that comes from being involved in the Island’s largest one-day fundraiser.”
lFor more information, or to register, visit islandwalk.je.
TMF Group (Jersey) Limited and entities within the affiliation are regulated by the Jersey Financial Services Commission and are part of the TMF Group.
