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A charity helping islanders with disabilities into employment has secured a new set of wheels after an islander raised over £4,000 by battling freezing waters, a nerve-wracking abseiling challenge and a "boring" treadmill half marathon.
ROK Director Greg Morrison undertook 12 challenges in 12 months to fundraise for the Jersey Employment Trust, who wanted a new van for Acorn Enterprises, which they support.
He fought nerves whilst abseiling and battled Jersey’s freezing waters during a swim on Christmas Day.
However, he says the worst thing was battling the boredom of running a half-marathon on a treadmill at Acorn Reuse in November.
Photo: Greg Morrison ready to abseil!
"It was terrible," Greg jokingly recalled. "It seemed to go on forever. It was very difficult trying to get my mind distracted to get me through. It was worth it, but not to be done again!"
But there were also some extremely enjoyable challenges for Greg.
His favourite challenge was skydiving - something he enjoyed so much that he decided to try again a couple of months later.
Video: Skydive for Acorn (Skydive Jersey/YouTube)
"It’s something I’d never done before, and I loved the sheer adrenaline rush," Greg explained. "It was a great way to see the island."
But beyond being a way for Greg to face his fears, the challenge have now raised enough money for Acorn, which provides work and training opportunities to islanders with disabilities and long-term health conditions, to buy a small van.
General Manager Steve Pearce said that the van will be needed for collections and deliveries, particularly in areas of Jersey that larger vehicles are too big to reach.
"The new van will have several uses and it will be put to good use," Steve said. "This will be good for smaller loads and will be better for some of the Island’s smaller lanes. We are very grateful for Greg’s continuing support and his enthusiasm, for raising funds as well as awareness about what we do."
Pictured: Greg in training mode.
Now that he has the bug, Greg said that he wants to carry on fundraising for the charity as he has had personal experience of their work in securing placements for clients.
"I am driven by this organisation, everything it stands for and everything it does for its clients," he said.
"I’ve never seen anything like it before and I think the more we do and the more we raise to make sure that these facilities at Acorn thrive can only be a good thing."
He continued: "And how I feel about that will never change, I don’t think. It struck a chord with me several years ago and it doesn’t leave me. I just want to carry on helping."
Praising everyone who donated and supported his efforts - "especially in the cold, wind and rain" - Greg added: "I want to carry on and I am open to ideas… Famous last words!"
A fundraising man with a plan... for a van!
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