Fairies to Fishes charity walk back for second year
THE FAIRIES to Fishes walk is back for a second year to raise money for the Guernsey Society of Cancer Relief.
Trevor Mahy came up with the Fairy Ring to Aquarium coastal route last year, with Team Mahy, made up of family and friends, supporting him for part or all of the way to raise more than £8,000.
Mr Mahy walked the 20 mile stretch in 27 degree heat while mid-chemotherapy cycles.
He is unable to walk this year and has passed organisation on to daughter–in–law, Lyndsey Mahy, and daughter, Marcia Bale.
‘Last year we put the event together in 10 days. We are just trying to get more people involved to raise more money. We all know of friends, or friends of friends we’ve lost,’ said Mr Mahy.
Last year around 25 walkers formed Team Mahy and took part with six walkers completing the entire route with Mr Mahy.
The event was nominated for the independent charity event at last year’s community awards.
‘This year we have opened the walk up to the public and already have had a huge response, especially as the last six months cancer seems to have ravaged the island and taken so many young people from us,’ said Mrs Mahy.
‘We have been getting interest from the families of these tragedies asking to get involved.’
Mr Mahy said the GSCR supports cancer patients and their families in so many ways and he thought it was important to raise funds for the society.
‘They do so much and I thought if nobody else is going to [fundraise], let’s have a go.
‘I think the beauty about this is that it’s not A to B, there are stop-off points and people can jump on and off the walk.’
There are times for when the group should arrive at each checkpoint and Mrs Mahy said she will have contact details for those intending to walk so they can be kept up to date on when walkers will be reaching the checkpoints.
Among this year’s walkers will be Mr Mahy’s grandchildren, some of who walked part of the way last year, Gwendoline Bale, 9, Phoenix Mahy, 11, Sydney Mahy, 5, and Noah Mahy, 10.
Although no walker is obliged to walk the entire 20 mile distance, Noah is hoping to go the whole way round.
‘If Grandy can do it with cancer, there is no reason why I can’t,’ he said.
. The walk is on Saturday 1 June, start at 8.30am at the Fairy Ring, although walkers can also wait for the group to pass by the Imperial should they wish. The plan is to pass checkpoints at the following times: Vistas at 10.30am, Rousse at 12.20pm, Chouet at 1.15pm and Bordeaux at 2.30pm for any walkers to join in. There will be a water station on the grass opposite Tribe Hair at Les Banques before the final stretch to the Aquarium.
Anyone wishing to join the walk can email Mrs Mahy at lyndsey@tribehair.gg for more information and a sponsor form. There is an event on Facebook, Fairies to Fishes Walk 2019.
