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Fundraiser finishes challenge to run every road

Chris Craddock,Jersey communities reporterand
Elisa Canas,Jersey
News imageBBC Kevin Bacon is in a navy “FOJO” hoodie, running through a finish-line tape held by volunteers on a grassy seafront area. Other runners, spectators, waterfront buildings and flags are visible in the background on a sunny day.BBC
Kevin Bacon had lots of support on his fundraising challenge

A fundraiser completed his challenge to run every road in Jersey to raise money for charity.

Kevin Bacon started the challenge in January and covered roughly 665km (413 miles).

He has raised nearly £2,300 for the Friends of Jersey Oncology charity (FOJO) to support hospital staff and cancer patients.

After crossing the finish line at Le Fregate with friends, family and charity members cheering him on, he said: "I feel tired, I feel elated, I feel proud and it's amazing to have finally been finished."

News imageKevin Bacon is wearing a navy hoodie with the text “FOJO,” a cap and reflective sunglasses stands beside a coastal walkway. The sea, shoreline and distant buildings appear in the blurred background under a partly cloudy sky.
Kevin Bacon could not believe the challenge had finally come to an end

He said: "It's quite incredible to watch the map of the roads covered come down and down, and to now to be able to finally tick off the last section feels incredible.

"I had difficult moments because there were the storms in January, February. Then I had heatwave in July to contend with, plus I pulled a calf muscle with about 30% of the challenge to go.

"I just thought all the way through that whatever I'm going through is nowhere near what the people that are going through that FOJO support, so it just got me through it."

News imageGemma stands on a seafront promenade beside a grassy area on a bright sunny day, wearing a light blue denim jacket over a dark top. Buildings and a waterfront are visible in the softly blurred background beneath a blue sky with scattered clouds.
Gemma Wall said the money raised would "go a long way"

FOJO has been running since 2012 and helps patients by providing practical support for patients and their families.

Senior oncology staff nurse and FOJO committee member Gemma Wall celebrated as Bacon finished the challenge.

She said: "I think this is really important, especially because with such a little-known charity we just hope that this will help get our name out there.

"This money does really go a long way... and we're honoured that he chose us as his charity."

News imageGlen wearing a black jacket with the words “digimap” and “Karrimor” stands on a paved seafront path beside a large green grassy area. The background is softly blurred, showing coastal buildings, a promenade and a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds. Sunlight illuminates the scene, creating strong contrast and clear visibility.
Glen Kehoe from Digimaps Jersey helped plan Bacon's challenge

Bacon's challenge was tracked and planned by Digimap Jersey so he could see how many roads he had completed.

Glen Kehoe, from the company, said: "It wasn't just about running the roads, it was actually trying to understand where he'd actually run so he wouldn't have to try and repeat himself.

"This was something we could jump on to and run with... He would provide us with his running data and then we would upload that onto a map."

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