Young boy to cycle 74k for the homeless

Thursday 04 June 2020

A nine-year-old boy has vowed to ride 74k in one day, with his route spelling the word ‘help’, in a bid to raise funds for a local charity that provides emergency accommodation and support services to homeless people.

Jacob Smith has already raised £452 for the Shelter Trust and is hoping to raise more ahead of his ride this weekend.

Jennie, his mum, explained he has been concerned about the issue of homelessness for the past three years. 

“When he was aged six, he became aware of people who were homeless, had fallen on hard times and were considerably less fortunate than him,” she said.

“It profoundly affected him, made him incredibly upset and this concern has stayed with him.”

Pictured: Last year, Jacob asked Father Christmas to bring him "a pot saying money for homeless people".

Jacob was so troubled by the situation of homeless people in the island that in his letter to Father Christmas last year, he asked for a jar to collect money for them as part of the four items he was allowed. 

When the corona virus pandemic struck the island, his parents discussed some of the health and financial impacts it could have on people’s lives.

”He was immediately concerned and upset that some people may not have the money to feed themselves and may be made homeless as a consequence of the pandemic,” Jennie said.

Jacob then decided to raise money for the Shelter Trust by planning a challenging activity that he could collect sponsorship for. 

With his dad’s help, he mapped out a route for a 74km bike ride which spells out 'help', starting from the Five Mile Road and finishing in St. Helier.

Pictured: Jacob's 'Special Savings' pot.

“When I see homeless people it makes be really upset to think that they don’t have a nice safe place to sleep and lots of food to eat,” the young boy wrote on his fundraising page. 

Jacob has been training hard for his challenge, going out on several rides during lockdown. With the restrictions now having been eased, he is planning to complete the actual ride this weekend.

He hopes his challenge will not only help raise awareness of the great work the Shelter Trust does but also bring in money for the charity.  

The Shelter Trust recently announced that more than 50 islanders had turned to them during the corona virus health crisis. 

This has led the charity to open an additional 22 beds bringing its capacity to 124 residents – a number it has already nearly reach as it currently provides emergency accommodation for 115 people. 

To donate to Jacob's fundraising page, click here.