WATCH: Jersey teen 'tired but proud' after completing 'Journey of Hope'

A Jersey teenager has completed an incredible 464-mile cycle challenge to raise money for charity.

Rosie Hargreaves, 13, completed the final laps at Les Quennevais last night ( 8 October) in front of friends and family.

She started the journey back in August and overcame challenges, including a fall, to get over the finishing line.

Rosie has raised more than £2,500 for Family First Jersey, a charity which supports families financially when a loved one is receiving care off-island.

The 464-mile figure was chosen specifically, because that's the distance from Rosie's home to the hospital where her sister is receiving care.

With her all the way was her Brave Bear. Her sister has an identical one with her in hospital.

It's to remind them that even though hundreds of miles separate them, they are never truly apart.

Rosie said:

"I'm tired, but also really proud. It was really hard, but it was really good.

"Family First makes brave bears, and my sister has a matching one, so I'm still kind of still riding with my sister.

"I feel really proud, because it's all for charity, it's really nice.

 

 

 

 

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"My target was £500, which is just a weekend (for one family to go off-island), so I've over doubled it!"

Rosie's mum, Katie, said:

"I'm so proud! It was really good fun in the summer holidays, we had longer, but it's been quite challenging in the last month while we've been at school, trying to squeeze it in with the activities etc, the fall was quite tricky, but to have raised the amount of money she has for Family First while Esme is still away in hospital, it's been incredible."

It costs around £500 for one family to go off-island to visit a loved one in hospital for a weekend, so this means five can now go with Family First Jersey's support without having to worry about costs.

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Cheryl Dolbel, CEO of Family First Jersey, said:

"I'm so proud of her, it's absolutely amazing! We've been following her story along, watching her Instagram page, and cheering her on in the background!

"Every penny that Rosie has raised means that we can be at the end of the phone for other families who have a child in hospital in the UK and be there and offer them the same support."

The charity launched a new campaign in the summer to strengthen support for Jersey families facing off-island treatment journeys.

Islanders are being invited to 'Sponsor a Brave Bear' to help more families receive the support they need.

Ms Dolbel added:

"We've had a few people sign up, so the Regular Giving campaign, people in the community can sponsor us with £5 a month, which will provide a Brave Bear, but also make sure that our family support workers are there for families just like Rosie's."