The Val Des Terres Everest Challenge 2025, sponsored by ‘We Move As One’, has raised a staggering £45,507.50 for Les Bourgs Hospice.
Hundreds of individuals and teams participated in the challenge earlier this year, which involves completing laps of the Val Des Terres (walking up the hill and then down George Road and Havelet), aiming to collectively reach the equivalent height of Mount Everest.
The event aims to promote a healthier January and encourages people to be more active, while also raising vital funds for the hospice.
The annual independent fundraiser was not only popular with work teams, families, friendship groups, but individuals too – all contributing to the record amount raised this year.
One of the business teams involved this year was Deloitte, which tasked 40 staff with completing as many laps as they could in a 24-hour period to raise money for Les Bourgs Hospice and GROW.
Gary Hooks founded the fundraising event and organises it each year.
“I would like to thank all participants and contributors for making the 2025 Val De Terres Everest challenge such a wonderful success,” he said.
“The obvious main goal is to raise funds for local charities but in addition to this is the community aspect of getting people together walking, talking and meeting new friends is of equal importance to us, being out in the fresh air does wonders for those taking part both physically and mentally. Lastly a big mention to Sue Farnham for doing a fantastic job behind the scenes.”
Les Bourgs Hospice is an independent charity that provides 24/7 palliative care to the Bailiwick community. It offers complex respite, symptom control, and end-of-life care, for patients and their families.
The hospice’s daily running costs are around £8,000 with fundraisers and donations meeting the cost as it receives no States’ funding.
“We have been blown away by the amount that has been raised this year,” said Rob Jones, CEO of the charity.
“The event is so impressive in the way that is creates such a positive community spirit and our staff loved being involved. Our funding relies solely on the support of the public so we could not have wished for a better start to what will be a challenging year ahead.
“We have seen a shift in the complexity of needs for our patients as well as a greater demand for our care so now more than ever donations like these make a real difference to us. We have been so incredibly grateful for the generosity of everyone involved.”
For those eager to support Les Bourgs Hospice further, the charity is launching its ’30 walks in 30 days’ fundraiser in April.
It aims to promote activity and raise funds for the palliative care services that the Hospice delivers.
Participants can choose to walk 10,000 steps or a daily mile, and aims to encourage sustainable exercise habits and provide a chance for personal reflection or social connection, while supporting a vital local charity.
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