More than 150 people took part in the ‘Walk into Light’ event on Sunday 16th April to raise awareness and funds for the Sanctuary Trust, leaving Corbière at 4.30am and walking along the Railway Walk to St Aubin.
It was the first time in 4 years that it had been possible to run this important fundraiser due to the pandemic and resourcing issues, and the team from Sanctuary were delighted with the result. – Current funds raised are around the £7,000 mark and the charity is still hopeful of hitting its £10,000 target.
Chair of the Sanctuary Trust, Frank Walker OBE, said: “It was great to be back. The feedback has been hugely positive, both from people who had previously taken part in the event and those who walked for the first time.
“We greatly appreciate all their efforts to raise money for Sanctuary Trust and we are hopeful that, in the coming days, we will hit our fundraising target, because, quite frankly, we need to.”
As reported on Bailiwick Express and in the JEP, annual running costs for the charity have risen to in excess of £400,000 which is partly down to the overall rising cost of living, but also partly due to additional costs of the need to now be registered with the Jersey Care Commission and the additional impact that this has on staff training costs.
The event was sponsored by Jersey Electricity. Chris Ambler, JE’s chief executive, said: “We are pleased to see so many people turned out to support the Walk into Light initiative, enjoying the moonlit walk to raise awareness and funds for this important charity.”
There was also support from Cooper and Co coffee merchants who got up at 2am to make breakfast for the walkers, which was hosted at St Brelade’s Parish Hall, and Liberty bus who put on a free shuttle service to take people back to their cars.
It is still possible to make a donation to Sanctuary Trust by clicking HERE.