TWO Islanders are cycling from St Malo to Sete on the Mediterranean coast to raise money for the Zannah Pemberton Trust and Headway.
Paddy (58) and Jayne (50) McCarthy began their 600-mile journey at the beginning of August, and they expect it to take three weeks.
Mr and Mrs McCarthy are family friends of Zannah Pemberton, a student who suffered brain injuries in a roller-blading accident on Bonne Nuit Hill two years ago.
Half of the money raised from the cycle ride will pay for specialist equipment so that Zannah can leave Overdale Hospital and move back home with her family. Mrs and Mrs McCarthy, both teachers, will give the other half to Headway.
‘We wanted to do something that was a challenge for us because Zannah’s day-to-day challenge really is so tough,’ said Mrs McCarthy. ‘Her family want to bring her home, but she needs equipment such as a sp ecialist bed and hoist. We are hoping to raise as much as possible.’
Mr and Mrs McCarthy are looking forward to the cycle ride and are trying to fit in as much training as possible.
‘We are up for this and keen,’ said Mrs McCarthy. ‘We have a good cycle route planned with a lot of off-road along canals and railways. It’s going to be quite interesting as well as challenging.’
Mr McCarthy said: ‘We are both looking forward to challenge but are aware of the problems that we will face with the heat and so on. We are not regular distance cyclists but we are really excited.’
Any donations to the couple should be sent to: The Zannah Trust or Headway Jersey, c/o Mr P J McCarthy, Blackamati, Route du Petit Clos, St Helier, JE2 3FX.
