MORE than 1,600 walkers – “very close to a record” – are signed up to brave this year’s TMF Group Island Walk tomorrow.
The 48-mile trek, which kicks off at 3am at Elizabeth Harbour, is aiming to raise £100,000 for several charities.
Walkers will also be joined by the Lieutenant-Governor, Vice-Admiral Jerry Kyd, at the starting line for the Lieutenant-Governor’s Challenge, which goes round to St Catherine’s breakwater.
The ONE TMF Challenge is also returning for a second year – the accessible walk for Islanders of all abilities takes place from Bel Royal along the Avenue to the Waterfront, where the overall walk also finishes.
Around the Island Walk Trust chair of trustees Rob Syvret said he was “massively pleased” by the 1,600-plus Islanders who had signed up.
“We’re about 20% up from last year’s take-up and we are very close to a record number of walkers,” he continued.
As well as Island residents, walkers from the UK, Guernsey and Germany will also be attempting the annual charity challenge this weekend.
Organisers hope that the RNLI Jersey, Trees for Life Jersey and Skate Space will benefit from between£15,000 to £20,000 each. And they hope that the National Trust for Jersey, Wednesday Night Football Club, Variety Children’s Charity, Family First, Healing Waves and Sanctuary Trust will receive £3,500 to £5,000 each.
Charities helping with the organising and delivery of the walks, Girlguiding, the States of Jersey Ambulance Service and the 10th St Brelade Scout Group, will also receive smaller donations.
“This is a great community event,” Mr Syvret said.
He also encouraged Islanders to be prepared for the weather, which looks unsettled on Saturday, saying that entrants should pack their belongings in plastic bags in their rucksacks to prevent them from getting wet.
He also recommended that walkers bring a “good hat” to prevent them from getting rain in their face.
“A bit of rain never hurt anybody,” he said.
