"If you think you can do it, you can"

Sunday 17 February 2019

A globetrotting fundraiser whose charity endeavours have taken him across China, Costa Rica and Tanzania is urging others to raise money for good causes while exploring lesser known areas of the world.

Greig Higgens (39) has taken part in three Jersey Hospice challenges since 2013 and is looking forward to his fourth in October.

This year, the charity is offering two different challenges: trekking in the Himalayan Annapurnas, home of some of the highest peaks in the world, between 3 and 13 October and cycling the spectacular High Atlas Mountains in Morocco, between 19 and 26 October.

Greig is encouraging islanders to take part, even if they don’t feel they are fit or sporty enough. When he did his first challenge in China, Greig did not cycle. He bought a bike and started training and has since carried on cycling. 

Pictured: This year, islanders can raise funds for Jersey Hospice by trekking in the Himalayan Annapurnas or cycling through Morocco.

“It’s never as hard as you think it is going to be, it’s always a lot more fun,” he said.

“You just need a reasonable level of fitness. The main point is that everyone has a good time. It’s not that physically demanding that you can’t have a beer at night! There are people in their 60s that have done it. What you need more than physical fitness is a positive outlook. If you think you can do it, you can!”

Kevin, one of the guides from Discover Adventures, the travel company Jersey Hospice has partnered to organise the challenges, said that participants only need to be reasonably fit and be happy to be out and about all day to take part. “It is not a race, you can take your time," he said. "As long as you are used to be out all day and happy about doing the same thing the next day, that’s all that matters.”

Pictured: Greig says the challenges are not as hard physically as people might think.

Greig says the hardest part of the challenges was actually the fundraising. With so many people doing the same kind of trips, he had to be creative and find ways to raise money, such as quiz nights and cash raffles. 

It was all worth it though as Greig confesses he has made “lifelong friends” on the trips. “We have gone on other trips off our own back and used the same company. We still cycle together as well.

“The main thing keeping me coming back is the team spirit. Everyone is there for the same reasons, they are all here for hospice. I’ve done other challenges where people all take part for different reasons and there wasn’t the same camaraderie.”

Pictured: Greig has made lifelong friends on the challenges, some of whom he still cycles and travels with.

Greig also enjoyed being able to see the not-so touristy parts of China, Costa Rica and Tanzania during the challenges, which is one of the trademarks of Discover Adventures. While he experienced several “culture shocks,” he enjoyed visiting deserted places and getting to know local residents. 

For islanders still pondering whether to sign up or not, Greig says that a visit to Hospice will convince them to take part.  Since the Jersey Hospice Care Challenge started in 2001 over 200 people have taken part, visiting Costa Rica, China, Vietnam and Tanzania amongst others, achieving personal goals and raising over £1million in the process.

“When you go there and see the services they provide, you will sign up straight away,” says Greig.

Pictured: Greig is thinking about taking up the cycling challenge in Morocco in October.

While he has personally already decided he will do another challenge this year and hopes to raise at least £2,000 for Jersey Hospice, Greig is still undecided over the destination. “I’m swaying towards Morocco,” he admitted. “My parents went on their honeymoon there 45 years ago.”

“It’s really good fun,” Greig added. “If you are on holiday you still think about things at home, but doing a trip like that, you shut off everything. In most places, you don’t have mobile signals.”