Postal workers travel 1,400km for Island Games

Two Jersey postal workers have set off to deliver kit for athletes at the Island Games in Orkney.

Toby Payne and Alan Tardivel said they would be driving delivery vans more than 1,400km (869 miles) over two days to get bikes and other equipment to the Island Games, which starts on Saturday.

Mr Tardivel, who has worked for Jersey Post for 44 years, said: "I thought this was an ideal opportunity to do something completely different, and something I am going to enjoy, and I can look back on being part of the Island Games."

The week-long event will see athletes from up to 24 island groups compete in 12 sports on the Scottish island.

Mr Tardivel said they would arrive in Portsmouth on Thursday and then travel to Perth.

Mr Payne said: "Friday morning, it is an early start and from Perth we have to travel to Thurso which is at the top of Scotland..."

"Then we will get another ferry early afternoon on Friday and we will travel up to Orkney," said Mr Payne, who has worked for the postal company for 17 years.

"From there we will arrive in Stromness, down to Kirkwall with all the gear ready for the Island Games to begin on Saturday."

Mr Tardivel said he was taking part because he enjoyed sport and he was coming up to retirement at Jersey Post.

Toby, who has been part of the Island Games three times as a team driver, added: "I am looking forward to the drive and it's somewhere different.

"I have never been to that part of Scotland before or the Orkney islands so it's good to be involved with the Island Games and help these aspiring athletes to achieve their best.

"Hopefully team Jersey can win plenty of gold medals.

"We want to wish all the best to all of the athletes taking part in the Island Games and especially the Jersey team."

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