A charity supporting Islanders with post-stroke recovery is hoping to raise its profile with the help of a 24-hour bike ride that will take place this summer.
The round-the-clock fundraising cycle for Jersey Stroke Support will involve a circular route starting from alongside the Elizabeth Marina, looping around Jardins de la Mer and the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Teams of between four and ten people will aim to keep at least one member on the track throughout the event, alternating as they see fit in order to collectively ride non-stop from midday on Saturday 28 June to midday Sunday 29 June.
There is a minimum sign-up donation of £100 per team, however each team will be asked to try and fundraise £500.
Organiser Paul Yates is no stranger to cycling challenges, having previously tackled a 350-mile charity ride in memory of his father Alan, who passed away in 2019 – 13 years after suffering a stroke.
“We’re looking for corporates, families, friends coming together,” Mr Yates explained, adding that organisers would also seek to connect aspiring entrants with others if they didn’t have a team.
A maximum of 35 teams will be able to take part, with the archways on the western side of the Elizabeth Marina acting as a pit lane.
“If we manage it well and we think we can do more [entrants] next year we will,” Mr Yates added.
Jersey Stroke Support was established a few years ago and seeks to help stroke survivors and their families, as well as raise the profile in Jersey about stroke and stroke prevention.
JSS director Tracy O’Regan explained that the fundraiser was the first large profile-raising event to be held in support of the charity.
“It’s not a race and it’s not about who can do the most laps,” she said.
“It’s about keeping on the track for 24 hours, it’s a personal challenge for people but also about raising the profile of the charity.”
She added: “Anybody can have a stroke – the myth is that you’ve got to be over 75 but that’s completely untrue.
“So it’s about raising awareness and if by doing events like this people get to know the charity, they [can] understand more about stroke.”
Teams are asked to use conventional bicycles, but individuals who may need to use an electric bicycle to take part – for example, someone who has an underlying health condition – should contact the organisers beforehand on tracy@jerseystroke.org.je
