Islanders go coast to coast in Costa Rica for Jersey Hospice

Saturday 04 November 2017

A group of 38 islanders are heading to Costa Rica for a cycling and trekking adventure, to raise money for Jersey Hospice Care.

The cyclists left on Wednesday and the trekkers will follow next Saturday to cover their respective 480 and 100 kilometres.

The Ocorian 2017 Challenge is the ninth of its kind and Hopsice's second biggest fundraiser, after the Million Pound Lottery. Sponsored by Ocorian since its inception, the challenges have been held every two years since 2001. Previous destinations include Mexico, Peru, Vietnam, Ecuador, South Africa and China. Challengers' fundraising efforts have now raised more than £1 million for the charity.

The cyclists left Jersey on 1 November, while the trekkers head off on 10 November. They will either cycle or trek from coast to coast – a distance of over 480 kilometres for the cyclists and approx 100 kilometres for the trekkers – and on the way will encounter rain forest, volcanoes, quiet village communities and striking colonial towns. It will be the journey of a lifetime that will make a difference to the lives of others.

It’s hoped this year’s Challenge will raise £60,000 that will help Hospice provide specialist palliative care services, free of charge, to islanders with any life-limiting condition, in their homes and at Jersey Hospice Care.

Sacha Patel, Income Generation Manager at Jersey Hospice Care, will be taking part in her fifth cycle challenge. She said: "After months of training and fundraising, we are all looking forward to getting out to Costa Rica to start our trip. Having taken part in previous Challenges, I know that it will be a tough adventure where we will all be tested while visiting remote or off-the tourist beaten track parts of this beautiful country. We are delighted with the response we’ve had for this Challenge and I wish all my fellow Challengers a safe and enjoyable time."