Jacob Smith’s target to raise £150 for the homeless charity captured the hearts of Islanders, some of whom stopped to wave and cheer him on as he undertook the challenge over the weekend.
And the charity itself also got in touch after hearing about his challenge. Guy Le Maistre, vice-chairman of the Shelter Trust, asked to meet Jacob and helped to support him during the ride, meeting up with him at various points, including at the finish.
‘Shelter is seeing unprecedented demand for its
services and we’re currently supporting around 200 people across a range of sites,’ said Mr Le Maistre.
‘This increased level of activity comes at considerable cost and so we’re extremely grateful to Jacob – and his dad – for their fantastic fundraising efforts. It’s been pleasure to meet such an impressive –
and unassuming – young man.’
Jacob started his ride at 9am at his home in St Lawrence and followed a pre-planned course around the Island alongside his father Simon Smith. His mother, Jennie, and sister, Caitlin, were also there to support him at various points, and there was time for an ice-cream stop and later a lunch break.
Some friends also lent their support along the course, with a couple even riding with him to complete the ‘P’ of help.
Mrs Smith thanked people for their phenomenal support and said it had really encouraged Jacob on his ride.
‘As he cycled through St Ouen one lady ran out of her house and shouted, “Are you Jacob? I have just sponsored you”. A few cars even beeped and congratulated him on his route,’ she said. ‘The comments on the fundraising page made Jacob feel really happy and he said it really helped him when he was struggling up some of the hills.’
She added: ‘He took a tumble when he hit a rock on a descent in Trinity as he was about to finish the ‘P’ but bravely got straight back on with a sore knee and a hole in his cycling leggings.
‘He completed the ride at just gone 3pm and thankfully the route they had taken clearly did spell out the word help.’
Jacob wanted to raise money for the charity but also to encourage others to also fundraise on behalf of the organisation. And already some of his friends have contacted him to say that he has inspired them to set up a stall outside their house and that they will be donating the money to the Shelter Trust.
- To sponsor Jacob visit justgiving.com/fundraising/jacobthomassmith.
