Five-mile coastal walk for Les Bourgs

ORGANISED by 17-year-old sixth-former Zoe Collins, hundreds of islanders walked the length of Grandes Rocques to Rousse and back yesterday in aid of Les Bourgs Hospice.

In a scene reminiscent of the Pink Ladies’ Sunset Coastal Walk, hundreds of people walked from Grandes Rocques to Rousse and back to raise money for Les Bourgs Hospice. (Pictures by Adrian Miller, 28484273)

A cause close to the heart of many of the walkers taking part, families, work colleagues, children and even dogs came to raise as much money for the charity that provides compassionate and professional care to patients suffering from life-limiting illnesses, as well as their loved ones.

Miss Collins named it Walk 5 Donate 5 asking people to walk five miles and donate £5.

So far more than £1,700 has been raised through the event’s JustGiving page.

She said she was honoured by the number of people who had turned out.

‘There’s so many people here, it’s amazing to see this many support Les Bourgs,’ she said.

‘I thought when it rained earlier today that people would shy away from coming out, but they haven’t.’

She said as someone who knew from personal experience the impact the hospice had for those who went there and their family and friends, it was heart-warming to see such support.

Zoe Collins, centre, organised the walk. She is pictured with friends Charlotte Green, left, and Chloe Brown all 17. (28484263)

‘I’ve seen the effects the hospice has on its patients and their families and the work they do,’ she said.

‘The joy they bring often in people’s final days is incredible.

‘We’ve got so many of them involved today and it’s great to see them here, we’ve got so much money for them flooding in.’

Jean and Jade Goracy, along with Angela Le Noury were just some of those taking part.

‘We knew Sharon Zabiela, who died recently at the hospice, so we’ve come to walk today in memory of her,’ said Ms Le Noury.

‘Many charities haven’t got the same funds they would have had due to Covid-19, so being here today helps them,’ added Jean Goracy.

‘There’s a big crowd and the weather is perfect for it, we’ll have a good time.’

Employees from HSBC and Butterfield joined in the walk.

‘We’ve come to support Les Bourgs and try to raise as much money as we can for them,’ said HSBC’s Julie Delacour.

‘From our team there’s people from retail, private banking and commercial banking.

‘We’ve all got to do our bit.’

n To donate to the Les Bourgs walk fundraiser via JustGiving, https://bit.ly/39iQv8w.