Sporty siblings sail, cycle and climb the 'Eiffel Tower'

Saturday 17 March 2018

Three sporty siblings, 10-year-old Sam and twins Tom and Hannah (8), have vowed to tackle three "tough sporting challenges" in a bid to raise £2,000 for Sport Relief.

Sam and Tom this week triumphed at sailing and cycling, while Hannah will tomorrow climb the height of the Eiffel Tower.

This is the fourth time the trio are facing sporting challenges for charity, and, in spite of their young years, they have already raised £3,600.

Pictured: The family at their first Sport Relief event in 2012.

It all started when their mum, Emma Sterry, signed the whole family up for a Sport Relief Mile in 2012 in the UK. Sam was four while the twins Tom and Han were just two. "They really enjoyed the buzz of the day, the crowds of people joining in, and that people kept giving us money!" said Emma.

Two years later, when Sport Relief 2014 came around, Sam asked if he could do something again. When his parents asked him why, he replied: "It’s fun and if we do something hard, people give money to help other people who are struggling.” As there were no organised events in Jersey, the kids picked their own sporting activity. Emma says: "Sam wanted to swim, but thought the sea was too cold in March, Tom wanted to ride his bike and Han wanted “a long walk. So we did. Family and friends helped them to raise £1,200 that year."

After Sam swam for 600 meters while Tom cycled for five miles on the railway walk and Les Quennevais track and Hannah walked from Ouaisne to Corbiére, the siblings decided to up the ante in 2016. Sam, now aged eight, swam for 5,000m, Tom cycled for 15 miles from Gorey to Corbière and Han walked 14 miles on the north coast. They not only increased their efforts but also their fundraising target, bringing a total of £2,006 for Sports Relief.

Pictured: The siblings ready for their second round of challenges in 2014.

So far the 2016 challenges have been the siblings' favorite. Of his 5000m swim, Sam says: “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to complete it, but bit by bit I did," he said. Han’s walk was "a very long way and a windy day," but she was saved by "a pocketful of jelly beans." As for Tom, the long cycle was fun. "I got really warm and went pretty fast on my bike," he said.

All of them have been looking forward to 2018 and a new round of challenges. Sam decided to sail 15.3nm from Anne Port to Grève de Lecq last Saturday while Tom pedalled 58km around the rock the day after. "The boys did great," said Emma. "All went well for Sam in spite a brief pause to change following a bout of seasickness. A huge amount of concentration, focus and guts to complete the six hour journey.

"Tom had a great time doing it, though his comment at the finish was 'My legs are killing me!'"

Pictured: Hannah, Tom and Sam in 2016.

Hannah is now the last of the trio to have to complete her challenge: a climb to the height of the Eiffel Tower, 324m, which she will attempt on a climbing wall this Sunday. Emma explained: "She has had a practice at the Adventure Valley Jersey 12m wall, and can comfortably scale the vertical face. To do it 27 times to equal the 324m height of the Eiffel Tower will take some strength.

"All three kids are fit and between them swim, do gymnastics, play tennis, football, run and cycle each week."

The three siblings are hoping to raise £2,000 through their efforts. They have raised £1,251 so far and are welcoming donations on their fundraising page.

Pictured: Sam and Tom carrying out their 2018 challenges last weekend.

Tom said: “We want to raise money for other people who don’t have enough money or food or clothes, and have to pick rubbish off a dump. Some of the children might have lost their mums or dads, so they’ll be lonely too”.

Sam added: “We are trying to give something to people who have nothing left. They don’t all live in a luxury place like Jersey, and they are often hungry and don’t have many choices. The money can transform lives”

Han commented: “In the UK some of the money goes to help kids who are carers for their Mums or Dads, or lonely people and people who are sad because a relative has died. The money we raise will make a difference."

You can donate and help the Sterry siblings hit their Sport Relief fundraising target by clicking here.