Story
Les Amis has been supporting and empowering adults with learning disabilities and/or associated conditions since 1975. The aim of Les Amis is to provide a full range of services as diverse as the requirements of their clients. Their houses offer a homely environment where residents feel empowered and able to express themselves with the encouragement and support that allows them to make real choices that affect their lives.
To mark their 50th anniversary in 2025, the Les Amis staff and Service Users will emulate the journey of the charity's' existence by running/walking/wheeling a 50-mile ultramarathon, which will be one mile for every year that Les Amis has been active. The concept is to ultimately raise awareness of the charity and fundraise for the construction costs of a new specialist nursing development, Project Trinity.
In mirroring the history of the charity, Les Amis (translated from French, meaning The Friends) will attain this feat by supporting one-another and celebrating their role in the community.
Alex Black, the Les Amis Facilities Manager, has been training for over 8 months to complete the entire route in one go. Through his varied role at Les Amis, he says:
I see the difference we make every day. And now, I want to do more. That’s why I’m running 50 miles. To push my limits. Les Amis isn’t just a charity. It’s a family. It’s about giving people the chance to live with independence, with purpose, and with joy.
On October 5th, 2025, Alex will run the Standard Chartered Jersey Marathon, then continue past the finish line along the planned route past all the Les Amis homes as far as Trinity and Gorey, before finishing at FB Fields where he will run one final 400m round the track accompanied by the Les Amis Service Users.
The last 50 years of Les Amis existence has been a journey far more turbulent than the terrain on the 50-mile course. The success is owed to its’ community who have invested so much effort into developing true meaning behind inclusion and empowerment values. Living with independence and purpose has been the goal from the outset in 1975. We’re still developing and learning. Completing the 50-miles is by comparison a very small gesture, but hopefully one that inspires, and helps raise funds so that Les Amis can continue supporting beyond another 50 years.