Sqirrel Run

Islanders are being asked to go nuts for Acorn, in memory of the late Dean Lowe.

Dean, who died in a hit-and-run which also took the life of his son Charlie, worked at the Jersey Employment Trust, a charity which helps Islanders who have a disability or long-term health condition secure and sustain employment. In April 2023, he and work associate Kiley Henley completed the 26.2 miles of the Virtual London Marathon, wearing squirrel accessories, raising over £1,000 for JET’s social firm Acorn.

Fundraising manager Caroline Spencer said: “We wanted something fun to mark what would have been Dean’s 50th birthday in February. We want to see at least 50 people dressed in squirrel costumes jogging through St Helier. We think Dean would have approved of having something a bit crazy in his memory.”

Squirrels will gather in Wests Centre at lunchtime on Thursday 13 March. They will head off to the end of Bath Street, turning right onto Queen Street, all the way down to Charing Cross, turning there to go back to the finish line in the Royal Square.

There will be a brief fun warm-up in West’s Centre and some entertainment in the Royal Square.

Apart from a mandatory £20 donation to register, squirrels are asked to raise at least £50 in sponsorship. Participants are responsible for buying or making their own costumes.

Money raised goes towards providing work and training opportunities for Islanders who have a disability or long-term health condition. Specifically, it will go towards internships at Acorn Reuse, where people working with JET’s employment team get a period of paid work experience and paid work.