Jacob, 16, walks east coast for autism charity
AFTER walking for almost four hours from Jerbourg to Pembroke, 16-year-old Jacob Bellis could not resist running the last few metres to the finish line.
Jacob walked the east coast to raise funds for Autism Guernsey and after setting out at 8am on Saturday, he reached Pembroke at about 11.40 – inside his allocated four hours’ exercise time.
On-hand to welcome him was a group of suitably socially-distanced family and friends, including his school keyworker Lindsay Gallagher and mum Lisa: ‘He wanted a party at the end,’ she said, adding that he had hoped for his school friends to be able to join him but the virus outbreak had scuppered those plans.
But there was still a rousing reception as Jacob ended his walk, including from a Guernsey Police officer.
The determined teenager did the walk alone, although Mrs Bellis said she had visited him at a couple of points along the route: ‘I walked with him for a little bit, and then he said “You can go now”.’
After crossing the finish line, the St Sampson’s High student said his feet were a bit tired.
‘I’ve done the west coast walk four times, but this was probably a bit harder,’ he said.
‘It was mostly the bit from Jerbourg to Town that was hard because there are a lot of cliffs.
‘It was where I slowed down the most and it was a lot easier when I got to Town.’
Walking is one of Jacob’s main hobbies but he said that he would probably take a break for a few days after this long one.
He had planned to do the walk on Good Friday, but lockdown restrictions on outdoor time meant it had to be postponed.
As soon as the outdoor time limit rose to four hours, he took the opportunity to get it done.
Jacob arranged the fundraiser himself as part of his Asdan (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) qualification, which involves completing a variety of practical and academic modules to earn credits.
Among his other accomplishments as part of the scheme was writing a short story for children and then reading it to pupils at Hautes Capelles Primary School.
Jacob had set out to raise £300, but as of yesterday lunchtime the total stood at just over £1,300
n Donations can still be given on Jacob’s giving.gg page at bit.ly/3cQun64
