“We decided that after all they did for us, St Christopher’s would be our thing now and we’d do whatever we can for them.”
Dressed in donkey ears, Marina Jones and her husband Scott really embraced the spirit of the St Christopher’s Fun Walk 2025.
In fact, the couple toned it down for this year’s event, after overheating in the spring sunshine wearing a full donkey’s head outfit in 2024.
Marina explained that her mother Brenda Brown, in his whose memory she was walking, loved donkeys.
“Mum always liked donkeys, and I even adopted one for her one Christmas. She always said that if she got a small piece of land, she would like to keep them. So, it was something to remember her by.”
Brenda, 68, who worked for many years as a housekeeper at Princess Royal Hospital, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in early 2022 and was cared for at home by St Christopher’s nurses for her final days.
“Mum preferred to stay at home and it all happened very fast.”
“The nurses from St Christopher’s were so lovely and helpful. We’d never had any experience of the hospice before and had no idea what to expect but they were brilliant.
So, we decided that after all they did for us, St Christopher’s would be our thing now and we’d do whatever we can for them.”
“The care for all of us was amazing. They were so caring and compassionate and I’ve had group and one-to-one bereavement counselling. It was so good to be able to let it all out and not be judged.
“I know I can always phone if I need something or go in and have a walk around the gardens too.”
Talking of walking…the Fun Walk provides Marina with an opportunity to spend some quality time with Scott, raise money for St Christopher’s and of course remember her mum.
“It’s hard but it’s amazing. It was brilliant just to spend time, me and Scott to get away from everything and remember the good times with Mum and it was so lovely to see everyone there talking together and supporting each other.
“This year we listened to Mum’s celebration of life playlist which kept us going. I really pushed myself to do the eight miles and Mum was in my thoughts the whole way. I was emotional when we passed the finish line but also very proud of myself.
“It blows your mind seeing how many people are doing it and the views are beautiful as well. It’s such fun and brilliant to know it’s for such a great cause.”
Between them, Marina and Scott have raised over £600 from the two Fun Walks and this year they attended the July Ribbons event which falls just two days after Brenda’s birthday.
Scott is already making plans for their donkey outfits for 2026…
It’s time to sign up for Fun Walk 2026
Sunday 10 May | Keston Common
A fabulous family day out to raise money for St Christopher’s!
Register before 28 February 2026 for your Early Bird Discount
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