Islanders are being invited to ‘Walk Into Light’ next month in support of the men’s homeless charity Sanctuary Trust.
The Trust launched the ‘candle-lit’ walk last year with the aim of raising awareness of its work providing support and accommodation for men who have hit a crisis and have few places left to turn.
Sponsored by Jersey Electricity, this year’s walk takes place on Sunday 28 April starting in the darkness from Corbiere at 4.30am. It will follow the five-mile Railway Walk route arriving at St Aubin Parish Hall at sunrise just after 0600.
General Manager at Sanctuary Trust, Brett Cutts, said that walkers at last year’s event were joined by an owl and a few bats along the route before reaching St Aubin just as the birds began their morning chorus at daybreak.
“We are very grateful to again have the support of Jersey Electricity and The Idea Works. It really is a great community event that can be taken at a leisurely pace with a welcome free hot drink and bacon roll from St Aubin’s Cafe at the finish line. Free transport is also provided by Liberty Bus, who take walkers back to the start to pick up their cars.”
Last year, over 100 people supported the walk raising over £6,000 for the charity.
“We would love to beat that target this year as every penny raised goes a long way towards helping our residents get back on their feet and move towards a better future.”
Chris Ambler, Chief Executive of Jersey Electricity said: “We are delighted to again support this event. Sanctuary Trust has helped over 200 men, including 21 former service men, rebuild their lives. The walk signifies the difficult path these men make from the darkness and despair of homelessness back into the light of normal lives. Sanctuary Trust is helping not only Sanctuary residents themselves but the community as a whole.”
Anyone wanting to take part in the walk should visit www.sanctuarytrust.org.je/walkto register. Dogs on leads are welcome and entrants can either print out a sponsorship form or follow the link to set up a JustGiving page for online donations.
