A ‘RED’ walk held in memory of a mother of two who died from a rare cancer raised hundreds for local charities.
Jean McLaughlin and her son John organised the fundraiser in memory of their late daughter and sister, Karryna Lovesey, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and died a few months later.
The fundraiser was held on Saturday, marking what would have been Mrs Lovesey’s 50th birthday.
The group walked from La Braye to The Watersplash and back with participants asked to wear Mrs Lovesey’s favourite colour – red.
Mrs McLaughlin said that around 50 to 60 people showed up to support on the day, with the proceeds being split between Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey, Friends of Jersey Oncology and Cancer Research UK Jersey.
The final total is yet to be counted, but a minimum donation of £10 was suggested and Mrs McLaughlin said that Islanders had been continuing to donate throughout the week.
“It was an amazing day, 50 or 60 people came to support and brought balloons, their dogs… and the sun came out for us,” she said.
“The donations haven’t been counted yet and I still have the buckets. Someone dropped some money through my door and I was even stopped at the supermarket by someone who had seen it online, recognised me, and wanted to donate.”
Mrs McLaughlin said that when the group reached The Watersplash, a group of veterans, who had been having breakfast, leapt into to action to support the cause.
“The group went around the resturaunt gathering donations and then they came down to the beach and gave me a white envelope. I thought it was such a wonderful, lovely thing to do”, Mrs McLaughlin said, who added that the veterans raised almost £100 from their whip-round alone.
She said that it was an “amazing” day with a positive turnout.
“Everybody who knew Karryna loved her, she could light up a room – it is just so lovely that people are going out of their way to continue donating and I am so grateful.”
