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This year's Jersey Rally will be raising money to help replant trees destroyed by Storm Ciaràn as part of a new environmental fund launched to offset the event's carbon emissions.
The Jersey Motorcycle & Light Car Club Environmental Fund is expected to contribute thousands of pounds to Jersey Trees for Life, and support the charity's work replanting trees along the Railway Walk.
Gina Poignand, the General Secretary of the Jersey Motorcycle and Light Car Club, said the decision to launch the fund was prompted by Storm Ciaràn.
She said: "Motorsport is not conducive with the environment normally so we tried to find a way to counter our carbon footprint and prove that, not only do we love motorsport, but we also love the environment."
A portion of the entry fee from local and overseas competitors in all six of the rally disciplines will contribute towards the environmental fund.
Gina explained: "Every single competitor in every single event will pay and we expect to donate in the region of £3,000 – possibly a bit more.
"The Railway Walk is public land; people can enjoy what we contributed to put back into the environment following the storm."
WATCH: A specialist tree shear was needed to help clear the Railway Walk after Storm Ciaràn. (Government of Jersey)
An estimated 400 trees were felled along the Railway Walk during Storm Ciaràn, which rocked the island with 100mph winds last November.
Pine trees will be re-planted to support the squirrel population, alongside other native dissiduous trees including oak, ash, hawthorne, blackthorne, field maple, and tamerisk trees – a species which is known for its hardiness and tolerance of exposure to strong winds.
The JMC&LCC Environmental Fund will continue in future years of the competition, the club also confirmed.
Jersey Trees for Life CEO Alex Morel said she was "delighted" by the support.
"We will be using that money to re-plant areas of the Railway Walk that is used by so many islanders," she said.
"Since the storm, most people will have noticed how many trees we lost down there so it's really important that we re-plant it as quickly as possible."
The Jersey Rally is taking place throughout Friday 11 and Saturday 12 October at various locations around the island.
You can find out more information HERE.
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