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What started with a confused American accidentally joining a Facebook group for a tiny island he had never heard of, will conclude with a trip over 5,000km across the Atlantic to meet its members and their beloved rock next Spring.
Following a final donation by Express yesterday, a crowdfunding initiative has now secured enough money to fly over Massachussetts-based student Joe Hill and Amanda, his teacher girlfriend, to Jersey.
26-year-old Joe earned ‘local celebrity’ status earlier this month after professing his fondness for Facebook forum ‘Good or Bad Jersey Businesses’, which he had mistakenly joined several years ago.
Despite only having the “foggiest idea” of where Jersey actually is, he remained part of the group after growing fond of its cast of characters and their strongly-held opinions on everything from restaurants to pet shops.
“This is my favorite Facebook group. I've been in it for 4 years now and live in North America. Idk [I don’t know] how I ended up in here but I had previously never heard of Jersey… But if anyone ever asks me I can tell them where not to get their car fixed,” he jokingly wrote.
The post was showered with over 1,500 ‘likes’, and islanders piled in with praise for the island before starting a bid to bring Joe and Amanda over to the island to show him the “real Jersey Way."
In little over a week, nearly 100 people - including Assistant Minister Murray Norton - chipped in more than £1,000 to cover the cost of the trip. Express covered the remainder yesterday, making the couple’s island break a reality.
Pictured: Joe's original post on the group.
Thanking islanders for their donations, Joe commented: “Me and my girlfriend are wicked excited to take advantage of everything that's been offered and meet everyone who's offered it.”
The pair are now eyeing up spring flights around March and April - something that might disappoint those calling for him to turn on the Christmas lights or to be the next Mr Battle - and Joe will be applying for his passport early next week.
Hotelier Alex Dolan, who started the fundraising, is helping to organise the trip with Joe. He said he was “thrilled” that the crowdfund was successful, and that he “can’t wait” to meet the ‘accidental tourist’ and his girlfriend with whom he shares a sense of humour.
Pictured: Firstly Joe will have to get his passport sorted - he'll be doing that on Monday
“I had no idea it would be so successful so quickly. Within 10 minutes my inbox was already inundated and now thanks to Express, here we are!” he said.
Asked what he most looked forward to showing off, Alex added: “Beaches, breath-taking scenery and fantastic food on my end so the island life really! It would be great if they could meet some Jersey cows and dig some spuds too though (if anyone knows someone)!”
He’ll be putting up Joe in one of the Dolan Group’s four-star pads - just one of many generous donations awaiting the newfound local celebrity for his arrival.
Pictured: Joe and his girlfriend Amanda are now looking to visit the island in spring 2018.
Although all the money for Joe's trip has now been raised, islanders can continue to donate to the crowdfunding page, with any additional funds going straight to local charities.
Hotel stays
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at local streetfood stalls and restaurants
A local photographer to document his trip
Jet skiing
A dolphin-watching trip
A visit to a family’s bunker
Pints at local pubs
Takeaway cake
Beauty treatments
Jersey ice cream
A rental car
...and last, but certainly not least, Jersey Royal potatoes
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