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A Cheshire Home resident has raised over £6,000 by cycling and rowing to Sark and France… and is now hoping to 'arrive' in Portsmouth today, in time for his mum’s birthday.
The virtual challenge – which has all actually taken place in Jersey – has seen Paul Rayner cover over 400km since the end of March.
Paul, who has been a resident at Jersey Cheshire Home for the past four years, wanted to keep active during lockdown and decided to row the equivalent of the distance from Sark to Jersey on a static rower.
Video: Paul's challenges have enabled him to stay active and support the home where he has been living for the past four years.
Having completed his goal in just over eight days, Paul wanted to do more and took on another challenge - rowing from Gorey to Carteret – which he also completed in eight days.
In mid-April, Paul then decided to undertake an even bigger challenge, which would see him cycle the equivalent distance from Barneville-Carteret to Ouistreham via Caen – a total of 134.7km – and then row 187.4km from Ouistreham to Portsmouth across the English Channel.
Paul’s objectives for the challenge were to raise £1,000 for Jersey Cheshire Home and to ‘reach' Portsmouth on 10 June in time for his mother’s birthday.
Pictured: Paul has cycled and rowed for over 400km since the end of March.
Not only has Paul kept on schedule to arrive at his virtual destination in time to sing happy birthday to his mother, but his dedication and commitment has enabled him to surpass his fundraising target.
At the time of writing, he has raised over £6,300 for the charity, which runs the only local residential facility caring solely for physically disabled adults, 24 hours a day.
Like many other charities, Jersey Cheshire Home has seen donations drop as a result of their fundraising events being cancelled. The charity does not receive funding from the Government despite annual running costs amounting to around £2.5 million.
Pictured: Paul has inspired fellow residents and the team at Jersey Cheshire Home.
Paul will be rowing the final leg of his challenge from 11:00 today with his rowing machine placed in the courtyard, in view of all the residents.
He will then sing 'happy birthday' to his mother with his fellow residents, and cut the birthday cake which is being made at the home for his mother.
After this, there will be a small celebration with cake for the residents and staff to mark Paul’s achievements.
Pictured: The team at Eric Young House have supported Paul during his challenges.
“Paul is an absolute inspiration to us all,” David Lord, General Manager of the Jersey Cheshire Home, said.
“With the current pandemic situation cancelling all our fundraising plans, Paul was desperate to do something to help. He independently rethought the current situation and found something positive from it that he can do, not only to himself keep physically active, but that would also help to fundraise for the home.
“Together with our fantastic team at Eric Young House, who have supported Paul during his challenges, Paul has worked so hard since the beginning of April to achieve his goals and deserves to very proud of his achievements – we are so incredibly proud of him.”
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