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Travelling without a plan, racing to a destination using only public transport and having to complete side quests along the way might sound pretty scary to those of us used to planning our holiday details well in advance, knowing exactly how and when we’ll travel and where we’ll eat and sleep. But inspired by the BBC TV programme Race Across The World, the Trustees of Jersey Employment Trust(JET) launched the JET Jaunt in 2024 as a unique challenge to raise money to support the work they do in the island.
Last year’s event saw teams of two racing from Jersey to Monaco with ‘no flights, no fixed route, just strategy, stamina and a sense of humour’. Healthhaus members Lorna and Jamie Pestana were one of the first of seventeen teams to sign up as they love travelling to new places and are huge fans of the Race Across The World TV show.
Swapping a suitcase, luxury hotels and cocktails at sunset for a backpack, overnight trains and food on-the-go is not for everyone, but the challenge comes with a unique set of rewards, like walking around a new city at sunrise, in peace and quiet before the crowds arrive. Plus, the side quests take you away from the main tourist trails to see places from a different perspective in a short space of time.
Each team is responsible for their own spending during the challenge, and can travel in style and stay in nice hotels if they wish, but the JET Jaunt is completely accessible to those on a smaller budget and people with mobility issues. Lorna says, “You can do it quite cheaply. Two of the teams last year - four people from the same company - won the award for completing the challenge with the least money spent - just under £130 per person! How they managed that I have no idea because already the fast train from St Malo to Paris is over £100 which is why most of us took the slower trains. But that also gave us time to sit and plan our route - which was only given to us at the ferry terminal in Jersey.”
The JET Jaunt comprises three checkpoints as well as specific quests - things to do, buy or photograph - which makes it more of a challenge and more fun. “It takes you to places you wouldn’t normally go to. For example, in Paris we had to search for a famous medallion that was on the ground outside Le Louvre but by the time we got there it was starting to get dark. We hunted everywhere for this medallion but just couldn’t find it, which was very frustrating!”
“In Dijon, we had to buy some Dijon mustard (of course!), and find a specific statue at the side of a church. Then in Turin we had to find and photograph a famous doorknob. It’s all really good fun, like a scavenger hunt. And of course, with mobile phones and access to the internet it makes everything so much easier than in the original TV show. But it definitely gives you a taste of the challenge of travel using only public transport and without plane trips.”
This year’s epic charity challenge departs Jersey early in the morning on Friday 19 September and finishes at 5pm on Sunday 21 September ‘somewhere in Prague’! JET are hoping to have 30 to 40 teams taking part this year and spaces are still available to sign up.
For Lorna and Jamie, this year’s trip is a family affair: “This year we’ve roped in our two children and their partners so we’re making it a family event with our own internal race going on! They’re quite excited. And we have a hotel booked in Prague for a family celebration at the end. In fact, we’re even continuing our trip for a few more days on public transport, first going to Vienna and then Budapest by train.”
How does travelling on public transport with no pre-organised plans or accommodation compare to a regular holiday for you?
“It’s a little bit nerve wracking of course, not knowing whether you’re going to sleep that night, or if you’ll get the right transport links. And with the JET Jaunt, you have no idea where the other teams are and if they’re ahead of you. It’s also interesting to hear about the different routes that people took. Last year’s winners took a completely different route to the rest of us, but they smashed it!”
What are your top tips for teams taking part in this year’s race from Jersey to Prague?
• Definitely pack light. Take the minimum of clothes and toiletries as you’ll be carrying it all day!
• A neck pillow and eye mask for the overnight buses, and noise-cancelling headphones if you find it difficult to sleep in noisy places.
• Face and body wipes are useful in case you can’t get a shower!
• Bring a sense of humour - because you never know where you’ll end up each day.
Do you need language skills to take part?
“I don’t speak other languages, though Jamie is quite good at French. But Google Translate is really handy - which is the advantage of being able to use your smart phone in this challenge.”
And what about food? Did you have time to stop in restaurants and cafes?
“We mostly bought food on the run, apart from the night we spent in the hotel in Turin where we managed to find a restaurant. And of course, it’s Italy so we had the biggest pizza ever! It was very welcome because we hadn’t had a sit-down meal since we started the challenge.”
What was the toilet situation like?
“The overnight trains and buses all have toilets, and as you’re travelling in pairs, there’s always someone to look after the bags. You can always find a toilet when you need it, so that makes it very accessible for people who might feel that’s a barrier to taking part. It’s why JET designed the challenge to be as inclusive as possible.”
How much sponsorship money does each team need to raise? And where does the money go?
“Each team is challenged with raising £500. Last year the team that won the award for the most fundraising were from CSC, JET Jaunt’s main sponsor. One of the team members had refurbished and sold laptops, with the support of his employer, raising £6260! It was a phenomenal amount to raise.
Have you got any unique ways of raising money this year?
“We’ve just come back from a relaxing holiday so our aim is to sit down this weekend and make a plan! Initially, we’ll do a cake sale at work, and we’ve probably got items to recycle and sell to raise money specifically for the challenge. Plus, my employer, Law At Work, is really supportive and generous too and we’ve already got a banner on our emails that connects to our sponsorship page.”
If you’re not up for the challenge but would love to sponsor Lorna and Jamie’s 2025 JET Jaunt, please visit their fundraising page.
Would you like to take part in the September 2025 Jet Jaunt charity challenge and race from Jersey to Prague in a weekend?
Ready for a challenge with purpose? Find out more on the JET website.
Ferry departs: Friday 19 September 2025
Finish line: 5pm, Sunday 21 September, somewhere in Prague!
Suggestedfundraising target: £500 per team (two people)
Entry fee: £125 per person, includes one way ferry + t-shirt
Sign up here: https://lupine.co.uk/race/2025-jet-jaunt.html
Lorna Pestana is a Trustee of Jersey Employment Trust. JET supports people with disabilities and long-term health conditions secure and sustain employment through the development of skills, and are a specialist resource for employers. The 2024 JET Jaunt raised a total of £24,000.
