Bedell Group Ecuador Challenge 2009

An incredible total of £310,310 has been raised by the Bedell Group Ecuador Challenge 2009 in aid of Jersey Hospice Care. Thank you to everyone involved in raising this terrific sum.

The South American challenge, which took place in November 2009, involved 80 participants who travelled to Ecuador to cycle (60 participants) and trek (20 participants) across different parts of the country for two weeks. Challengers also had the opportunity to visit Quito’s hospice ’Fundacion Jersey’ (run by Jersey woman Dr Nicola Bailhache) with which Jersey Hospice Care is twinned.

The event ended tragically, with the death of one of the cyclists, Mr John Lyons, who was hit by a vehicle in a road traffic accident on the final day of the cycle.

Each participant paid £1,000 towards the cost of the trip and raised a minimum of £2,750 in sponsorship for Jersey Hospice Care. Various fundraising events were held in the lead up to the event including a Midnight Walk from St Aubin through town and back again, cycling in the window of New Look for 48 hours in full view of the general public, a series of Jersey Hospice Care Big Lunches, an Abba party, speed dating, a water sports equipment sale, racing evenings, bag packing in supermarkets and endless cake sales and car boot sales.

Jersey Hospice Care’s Chairman, Dr Gari Purcell-Jones said: "Everyone at Clarkson House is tremendously grateful for this incredible fundraising effort which covers our running costs for nearly two months. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part and to all the islanders who supported the challengers with their fundraising."

The Bedell Group Challenges are held every two years as major events in our fundraising calendar and the destination for the 2011 trip will be announced later this year.