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After raising over £8,000 for the charities who have been helping their dad through chemotherapy, the sons of a politician diagnosed with cancer will be completing a 36-mile island walk today.
Deputy Richard Rondel, a well-known and much-loved States Member, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer over three years ago, but today his sons, Jack, James and Joshua Rondel will be showing their support for him by walking and jogging around the entire island.
JustGiving pages set up by Deputy Rondel’s youngest son Jack, who is just 15 years old, have raised a staggering total of £8,242 for Friends of Jersey Oncology and Cancer Research UK as sponsorship money for the boys’ walk.
On the page, Jack told his dad’s story and his noble battle with cancer over the last few years, saying: “I want to do this for my dad."
Pictured: Deputy Richard Rondel had to receive a "severe operation" in order to treat his stage 4 bowel cancer.
Donations and messages of support flooded in for the Rondel boys’ cause, meaning that they are heading into their 36-mile challenge having almost tripled their initial fundraising target of £3,000.
21-year-old Joshua Rondel described the encouragement from islanders as “incredibly overwhelming”, adding that he and his brothers are “extremely grateful."
“It’s been amazing not just with the donations but with the messages of support and offers to help on the day. I know that there are going to be people at the end to see us finish hopefully with my dad as well which is just incredible," he told Express.
The brothers will be starting their walk at 09:00 at Le Frégate, heading out to the West of the island and passing ten different checkpoints they have set up throughout the route until they cross the finish line back in town at the Weighbridge.
Pictured: The Rondel brothers will start out from La Frégate in town and head out West.
According to Joshua, his two brothers are no stranger to this challenge having completed several island walks with their schools over the years, but it’s the first time he’ll be attempting one. He said: “I’m pretty excited for it - it’ll be good exercise and a challenge as well so I’m looking forward to it!”
Joshua added that he hopes their efforts will offer some solace to other people going through similar hardship.
“The main reason we’re doing it is to show some support for everyone, because everyone goes through and is going through difficult times and you can’t always see it, it’s not always obvious.
"We want to show some support for everyone and get these donations to help the charities and show some solidarity between the families.”
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