For the first time ever, the 2023 TMF Island Walk will include a new inclusive section, the One TMF Challenge, to enable all islanders to be a part of this iconic event.
Recognising that everyone’s challenge is different, the walk has already included the shorter Lieutenant Governor’s Challenge and relay options, but this will be the first time that people who might find the rugged coastline terrain too difficult to negotiate can take part and raise money to support their local community.
The One TMF Challenge route will be along Victoria Avenue, enabling participants to choose their own level of challenge by starting at different points along the route which is flat and paved, but still ending at the main finish line to receive their medal.
Sponsors TMF Group pay for the running costs of the Island Walk to enable every penny raised to go to local charities. They wanted to broaden the event so that all islanders can have the opportunity to take part.
Tim Houghton, Market Head – Channel Islands, for TMF Group said: “The Island Walk has been an iconic event for over thirty years and thousands of islanders can testify to the amazing atmosphere on the day and the sense of achievement for having taken part. We wanted to be more inclusive and enable all islanders to have the opportunity to be a part of this fantastic community fundraiser. The One TMF Challenge recognises that one person’s challenge can look totally different to someone else’s and celebrates those achievement at all levels.”
The Island Walk is Jersey’s largest one-day fund raising event and sees hundreds of walkers traversing the 48 miles of the island’s coastline. Last year walkers raised £100,000 for local causes. Organisers and Trustees are totally voluntary, to enable all funds to go to charity.
Robert Syvret, Chair of the TMF Island Walk Trustees said: “This is our 32nd year and as trustees of this iconic fundraiser, we are delighted that TMF have enabled us to expand the event to make it more inclusive and diverse. This year for the first time we are also enabling participants to vote for a beneficiary of their choice, and we are seeing a good number of registrations already. We’d love to make 2023 a record-breaking year and urge islanders to pick their challenge and join in.”
The main beneficiaries of the 2023 walk are: Jersey Employment Trust/Acorn, Silkworth/Families in Recovery Trust, and the Jersey Recovery College. Five other charities will receive smaller amounts of money: Autism Jersey, the JSPCA, Art in the Frame, Jersey Stroke Association, and Jersey Brain Tumour.
This year walkers will be able to vote for a sixth charity and the one with the most votes will also receive a share of the donations.
The 2023 Island Walk will take place on 17th June. Further information can be found here.
