Collas Crill Island Walk
PO Box 848, St. Helier, Jersey, JE4 0XA
www.ccislandwalk.com/info@ccislandwalk.comAbout
The Around the Island W​alk has become one of the largest one-day fundrais​ing eve​nts held in Jersey. In the past 23 years, more than 18,000 walkers have raised over £1.8 million in sponsorship, with every penny going to well deserving local charities.
Th​​​​​e e​​arly years
At midnight on Saturda​​y 22 June 1991​, 15 intrepid walkers embarked on a clockwise walk around the Island's coastline starting and ending at Rozel and the Around the Island Walk was born!
The first Isla​​nd Walk was conceived by Paul Owen and his colleagues. They had no idea​ how many miles it actually was, or how long it would take. Seven of the 15 completed the inaugural walk and £1,500 was donated to Jersey Cancer Relief. The ratios of finishers (around 50%) and average funds raised per walker (around £100) continue to this day.
Initially, refreshments were provid​​ed along the route by other colleagues who followed the walkers in a car, equipped with a primus stove to make the now famous bacon butties, as well as large water containers and plenty of cups – there were no Checkpoints in the early days.
The following year saw both the number of walke​rs and the amount of sponsorship raised double. In 1993 there were 70 walkers, so the start / finish line was moved to the Esplanade. It was no longer feasible to have a supply vehicle following, so the first Checkpoints were introduced. In 1996, the numbers swelled to 345 walkers, so the start was moved to​​ the Elizabeth Ferry Terminal and the finish moved to the Waterfront Car Park – it has remained the same ever since.
Rotary to​​ the rescue
As the Island Walk continued to grow, the organisers realised th​ey needed to recruit more help to ensure the event would continue to grow and prosper. In 2001, Rotary de la Manche, a local fundraising charity, came to the rescue providing an army of its members to help organise and plan the event throughout the year, register walkers at the start, man the checkpoints and courier walkers' bags around the Island between Checkpoints.
To this day, the trustees and organising committee of the walk still consist of Rotary de la Manche members including two of the original 15 walkers, Paul Owen and Karen Coster.
The L​​ieutenant Governor's Challenge
Not eve​​ryone relishes the prospect of walking 48.1 miles in one go. In 2007, a new dimension to the Island Walk was conceived with the willingness and cooperation of the Lieutenant Governor of Jersey. Paul Owen challenged Lt. General Andrew Ridgway to complete the entire route in four consecutive stages each year during his tenure on the Island. He agreed and the LG Walk was born.
Each stage of the ​Lieutenant Governor's Challenge runs parallel with the Main Walk and is becoming more popular, especially with young families. It is fantastic to see grandparents, parents and their children all enjoying the event together.
This year, the current Lieutenant Governor, His Excellency General Sir John McColl KCB CBE DSO, will complete the final stage of the Walk - 12 miles from Le Braye to the Finish at the Waterfront.Categories: Activities, Walking.
