Le Tournoi’s Andy Le Seelleur, Michael Fitzgerald, and John Hanley stand behind the head of Investec Specialist Private Bank, Kevin Allen. The bank has sponsored the trio’s equipment

THREE Islanders will start the New Year on a high – by scaling three active volcanoes in Central America.

Andy Le Seelleur, John Hanley and Michael Fitzgerald – committee members from the Le Tournoi charity – will climb the peaks to raise funds for schoolchildren in Guatemala.
The trio will leave Jersey on 21 January to climb Acatenango, Pacaya and Fuego on the outskirts of the former Guatemalan capital, Antigua.

After they have completed the three-day trek, they will spend several days at a local school where five pupils are sponsored by the charity through its involvement with the Education for Children Foundation.

The foundation was established six years ago to save a small Guatemalan school from closure.

Since then the pupil numbers significantly increased and 33 children have been re-housed or taken into their care.

Mr Hanley, Le Tournoi’s vice-chairman, said: ‘It’s amazing that our charity, which started out ten years ago as a simple one-off soccer event, has grown into Jersey’s most diverse sporting charity and we now want to do something out of the ordinary to mark the occasion.’

Alongside the fundraising trip, the trio have also launched the ‘Make Kit Happen’ appeal, which gives parents and children the chance to donate any unwanted sports clothes or equipment to the children of Guatemala.

Mr Hanley said: ‘We launched this appeal to highlight the plight of our sponsored kids and the fact that they have almost nothing in life.

‘Donating unwanted sports kit is a simple way to inspire them to enjoy sport, which is something that our own children can take for granted.

‘We have received everything from full strips to boots, tracksuits and shin pads.
‘These kids have virtually nothing and it is difficult to envisage the joy that something so simple can bring.’

It is hoped that the kit will arrive at the Guatemalan town before the three men start their charity walk.

Anyone who wants to donate money or kit to the appeal should email admin@letournoi.org to arrange drop-off or collection.