A 26 strong team will head for Iceland in September as part of a major fund raising exercise in aid of the Jersey Cheshire Home.

The supporters of the home at Eric Young House in Rope Walk, St Helier will embark on a tough five-day challenge to trek through a wild and remote landscape. Each team member has committed to raise a minimum of £3,000 for the charity that cares for severely disabled Islanders.

The group of Trek Iceland volunteers’ is trying to raise as much as possible and will be staging a series of events in a variety of locations in the months ahead.

On the evening of the Royal Wedding on 29th April, some of the team will be collecting around Island pubs. Other events will include car boot sales, bag packs, an old style school sports day, speed dating, a tennis tournament and a Sunday lunch.

It costs over £4,100 per day to run the home, equating to almost £30,000 per week or £1.6 million per year, (2009 figures).

Among those in the group will be former Channel Islands Co-operative Society chief executive Jim Hopley, who is Deputy Chairman of the Jersey Cheshire Home and David Lord, a former hotelier who is now Operations Manager at the Home.

Mr Hopley said: ‘Fund raising for all charities is difficult at present given the economic slowdown but the needs of the disabled do not change. We hope that Islanders will support the efforts of the Trek Iceland team members as they seek to help ensure that the quality of life for some of the Island’s most severely disabled people is maintained.’

Among other notable walkers will be the Constable of St Peter, John Réfault and Jersey Evening Post business editor, Harry McRandle.

The Jersey Cheshire Home caters for up to 25 residents of varying disabilities. There are 25 beds in total, 22 bedsitting rooms, two flats and one respite suite. There are currently 23 permanent residents.

The home endeavours to enable them all to lead full and independent lives and to have access to events and activities which everyone else takes for granted. It employs trained professionals who are able to cater for the needs of some of the most severely disabled people in the Island.

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For more information about Trek Iceland or Jersey Cheshire Home, please contact David Lord at david@jerseycheshirehome.je or telephone 01534 285858.