The second JET Jaunt, sponsored by CSC, has raised nearly £26,000 for the Jersey Employment Trust.
The challenge saw 52 people racing across Europe from St Malo to Prague.
It was won by the winners of the inaugural 2024 Jaunt, friends Lucy Gomes and Sarah Parker. With all challenges complete, they arrived at the old astronomical clock in the old town of Prague in 1d 13h 35m – only 17 minutes ahead of the runners-up, Jeremy Johnson and Mary Surcouf. Husband and wife Jeremy and Mary had set themselves their own challenge – of not using their phones to navigate or book their transport. They relied on asking directions from local people and good old-fashioned map-reading, for which they won the Judges’ Choice award.
Teams had to use public transport to take them from St Malo, and they had a choice of two routes – north to Antwerp and Leipzig or south to Freiburg im Breisgau and Salzburg.
There was added fun with JET Ambassador Kiley Henley wearing an inflatable squirrel costume, the mascot of Acorn (JET’s social enterprise). The squirrel was seen running to the finish line at the astronomical clock in Prague. Kiley was travelling with her brother Alex Henley-Good, who was dressed as a tree.
Of their strategy for winning again, Lucy said: “We can’t give too much away in case we decide to come back for a third year! As there was twice the amount of competition this year, we had to act quickly and just keep moving. There was a lot of thinking on the spot and taking a few risks with timings.
“The JET Jaunt is an experience like no other, an exciting and thrilling adventure which really gets the heart racing at times. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to race across Europe again visiting places we would never even think of. Most importantly it’s an amazing opportunity to raise money for a great charity and we are overwhelmed by the money raised so far.”
Fundraising manager Caroline Spencer said: “The second JET Jaunt has been a resounding success. £25,890 was raised, which supports Islanders who have a disability or long-term health condition in the workplace. It’s one shared experience but 26 different journeys, including getting on the wrong train, getting off at the wrong stop, and broken bike chains. Jaunters have had a lot of fun and camaraderie, seeing places they might not otherwise, and enjoying the kindness of strangers, all while pushing themselves out of their comfort zone.
“We are incredibly grateful to sponsors CSC, All Island Media and Ports of Jersey, without whom this event just wouldn’t happen. We are already looking to the third JET Jaunt, in September 2026, details of which will be announced soon.”
Pictured: Jaunt winners. Kiley Henley (best social storytelling), Andy and Jane Burns (top fundraisers), Mary Surcouf (Judges’ Choice award, with husband Jeremy), and second-time overall winners Sarah Parker and Lucy Gomes
