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Dad to attempt 24-hour run in aid of local charity which changed son's life

Dad to attempt 24-hour run in aid of local charity which changed son's life

Sunday 12 May 2024

Dad to attempt 24-hour run in aid of local charity which changed son's life

Sunday 12 May 2024


A father and charity governor is set to run back and forth along St Aubin's Bay for 24 hours straight next month to raise money for a children's charity that had a "life-changing" impact on his son.

Investment Manager James Barrett wants to cover a minimum of 100 miles during his challenge — which will involve running between The Freedom Tree to St Aubin and back 16 times — in aid of local charity Centrepoint.

He chose this route because it has amenities along the way and because of the flat terrain, and he hopes there will be people along the way offering support and other runners willing to join for sections.

Mr Barrett will undertake this challenge between 8-9 June to mark his 40th birthday, which is two days later, as well as Centrepoint's 40th anniversary on 29 June.

"They offer unbelievable support to me and my family with their childcare services," he said.

The father-of-three explained that he wants to raise money for the charity's complex needs care facility, The Space, which requires £9,000 per week during the holidays to remain open.

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Pictured: Investment Manager James Barrett training for his 24-hour running challenge.

The Space is a playcare facility that focuses on learning through play, and is regularly attended by Mr Barrett's eight-year-old son Teddy and his six-year-old daughter Elodie.

Mr Barrett said The Space had been "life-changing" for his family as it is the only after-school service and holiday club on the island available for Teddy due to his additional needs.

"Knowing how beneficial services like this are to both the children and their families helps drive me forward in trying to raise money for Centrepoint and assist in other areas through my governor's role," he said.

"Raising money for a cause so close to my heart helps drive me on and will keep me moving forward throughout the 24 hours, especially when the body may feel like it wants to quit."

Last year, Mr Barrett completed a Navy Seal challenge that involved him running four miles, every four hours, for 48 hours to raise money for the charity.

Eight other runners, including Centrepoint CEO Jane Moy, braved the full 4x4x48 challenge alongside Mr Barrett, while around 20 members of Centrepoint's staff took on the relay version of the run.

However, Mr Barrett thinks his upcoming 24-hour run will be a "major step up" from the last challenge. 

"I feel this will be mentally much more taxing as in the last challenge I knew that a three-hour rest was always just around the corner, whereas this time there is no let-up," he added.

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Pictured: The nine runners who took on the full 4x4x48 challenge last year. 

Mr Barrett added that the main celebration for Centrepoint's 40th birthday is 'A Night at the West End' on Saturday 29 June.

Jersey-born International Soprano Georgi Mottram is collaborating with the charity to bring a number of West End stars to perform alongside a three-course dinner.

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You can sponsor Mr Barrett's 24-hour running challenge HERE.

READ MORE...

Dad completes "gruelling" Navy Seal challenge for charity that helped son

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