Funds pour in to fly over the ‘accidental tourist’

Tuesday 10 October 2017

Since professing his love for a Jersey Facebook group he mistakenly joined years ago, American student Joe Hill has been offered burgers, pints, hotel stays, jet-skiing, dolphin watching displays and even a trip to a local family bunker.

But now islanders are offering to cover the costs of flying the ‘accidental tourist’ and his girlfriend the 5,200km trip across the Atlantic - and are already more than halfway there, in what has been described as a real example of 'the Jersey way.'

26-year-old Joe Hill, who is based in Boston, Massachusetts, was confused to find himself added to the 12,000-strong ‘Good or Bad Jersey Businesses’ community some years ago.

Despite having the “foggiest idea” of where Jersey is, he decided to remain in the group after becoming fond of the online forum and its host of characters.

Pictured: Joe's affectionate post in 'Good or Bad Jersey Businesses' that kicked off the fundraising efforts.

The island stranger shared that affection for his “favourite Facebook group” in an amusing post, and was swiftly welcomed with open arms by the island community. 

What started with joking posts praising Jersey rapidly turned into a shower of invites to pubs, hotels and restaurants.

Then the tale took another surprising turn: islanders began to crowdfund a spring visit for Joe and his girlfriend.

Donations have piled in thick and fast ranging from £5 to £50 from islanders from all walks of life – and in just a few days, Jersey people have already raised £702 of their £1,200 goal. Assistant Minister Deputy Murray Norton even chipped in £10.

Pictured: The fundraising page for Joe is now over halfway to the fundraising total.

Another Jersey person commented that the display of island pride and community kindness was the true ‘Jersey Way’.

The man behind the crowdfunding page - hotelier Alex Dolan of Dolan Hotels – initially found Joe’s situation “hilarious”, but felt that the events that followed really “summed up what is so great about Jersey.”

“We all know that moaning about the very first world problems of living in Jersey is a local pastime but for the first time ever in my memory of the page, people banded together and were being unanimously and genuinely positive and welcoming to Joe which inspired me to offer some rooms if he made it over. What was even more inspiring was that Ross Michalski from JBs quickly followed up with an offer of food which opened the floodgates to other offers. To date I have received offers of more food, beer, transport, fishing and beauty treatments to name a few by people who want to share what makes the island life so great!” he told Express.

In Alex’s words, Joe has become “somewhat of a local celebrity” – and now some islanders are even calling for him to be named Mr Battle.

Pictured: Could Joe and his girlfriend be the next Mr and Miss Battle? Some islanders hope so...

So how does Joe feel about the fundraising?

Describing himself as “grateful”, he commented: “I feel a bit unworthy, I hope I meet expectations! …The jokes of making me Mr Battle have had me in stitches but the funniest thing I've seen in my life was someone suggesting I should ‘turn on the lights’, which I take is like a ceremonial Christmas tree lighting?

“I hope my visit can benefit the tourism industry in Jersey!”

Speaking about the unusual affair, a Visit Jersey spokesperson added: “We’ve followed the story with interest and Jersey’s pride and passion for welcoming visitors is clear. Local hoteliers, restauranteurs and on-island suppliers have offered him some fantastic experiences. The island break is the perfect tonic to escape stressful day-to-day life.”