AN Islander is set to run back and forth along St Aubin’s Bay for 24 hours next month to raise money for a children’s charity that has had a “life-changing” impact on his son.
Investment manager James Barrett wants to cover a minimum of 100 miles during his challenge — which will involve running between the Freedom Tree near the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel to St Aubin and back 16 times – in aid of the children’s charity Centrepoint.
Mr Barrett, who is a governor with the charity, will undertake the challenge between 8 and 9 June to mark his 40th birthday, which is two days later, as well as Centrepoint’s 40th anniversary on 29 June.
“They offer unbelievable support to me and my family with their childcare services,” he said.
The father-of-three said he wanted to raise money for the charity’s complex-needs care facility, The Space, which requires £9,000 per week during the holidays to remain open.
The Space is a playcare facility that focuses on learning through play and is regularly attended by Mr Barrett’s eight-year-old son, Teddy, and his six-year-old daughter, Elodie.
As it is the only after-school service and holiday club available to his son due to his additional needs, Mr Barrett said The Space had been “life-changing” for his son and their family.
“Knowing how beneficial services like this are to both the children and their families helps drive me forward in trying to raise money for Centrepoint and assist in other areas through my governor’s role.”
“Raising money for a cause so close to my heart helps drive me on and will keep me moving forward throughout the 24 hours, especially when the body may feel like it wants to quit,” Mr Barrett added.
Last year, he completed a Navy Seal challenge that involved him running four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours to raise money for the charity.
Eight other runners, including Centrepoint chief executive Jane Moy, braved the full 4x4x48 challenge alongside Mr Barrett, while around 20 members of Centrepoint’s staff took on the relay version of the run.
However, Mr Barrett thinks the upcoming 24-hour run will be a “major step up” from the last challenge.
“I feel this will be mentally much more taxing, as in the last challenge I knew that a three-hour rest was always just around the corner, whereas this time there is no let-up,” he said.
He said that the main celebration for Centrepoint’s 40th birthday was A Night at the West End on Saturday 29 June.
Jersey-born internationally renowned soprano Georgi Mottram is collaborating with the charity to bring a number of West End stars to perform alongside three-course dinner.
lTo donate, visit: sportsgiving.co.uk.
