Maria Keaveney-Jessiman, a 95-year-old school principal and great grandmother of 14, has vowed to walk 100,000 steps to raise funds for a number of children’s charities close to her heart, namely Rianna’s Fund, Winston’s Wish, and the NHS.
At the start of lockdown in March, Maria set herself a goal of climbing 50,000 steps, at 1,000 steps per day, up and down the stairs of her South-West London home. Having already surpassed her initial goal and completing a total of 60,000 steps, the equivalent of walking up and down Mount Kilimanjaro, and inspired by the overwhelming support and donations received so far in support of raising money for UK charities, she has boldly doubled her goal and plans to continue climbing with hopes to reach, if not surpass, 100,000 steps by September.
As the founder and principal of Eveline Day Nursery Schools, in South West London, Maria and her family have long supported charities who champion the importance of education and the effects it can have on a child’s life. In 2018, the family businesses supported Rianna’s Fund, in the renovation and extension of the Covenant Community Academy School in Uganda. This project was very special to Maria and she wanted to continue to support this charity from behind the scenes, whilst also staying fit and healthy throughout lockdown.
Speaking on the matter, Mrs Keaveney-Jessiman, a resident of Wimbledon Village of over 60 years, said “With a little more time on my hands during the lock down, and so many British children out of school for the first time in their lives, I felt it was the perfect time to do something that would raise awareness of the importance of education. Children are our future and each of these charities support children in need and hold value to my heart. I’ve had a lovely life and I want to make sure as many children as possible have that same chance.”
Commenting on the challenge, her son, Gordon Keaveney-Jessiman, said “We’re so proud of mum, working with children for so long and now with these charities which are so close to her heart, and at 95 it’s all the more incredible!”
To support Maria on her walk and help raise more money for Rianna’s Fund please visit
virginmoneygiving.com/Team/MariaKeaveneyJessiman
Feeling inspired?
Maria’s story is one of many. Individuals around the world had set fundraising goals during lockdown and supported their chosen charity. Some promoted their efforts on social media, some donated prizes, but, all in all, every little helps. Small donations make a difference, too, when it comes to charity fundraising, and taking advantage of schemes like Gift Aid will help boost it even further.
If you’re on the lookout for some fundraising activities, share your ideas with friends and family for a good old fashioned brainstorming session. Set it up on a platform like Just Giving, Go Fund Me, or the Institute of Fundraising, and start your fundraising journey! Make sure you choose a charity registered in England and Wales. That way, you can be confident that your donation will go where you want it to.
Maria’s charities
Winston’s Wish works to bring hope into the lives of grieving children. In 2019, the organisation supported over 17,000 children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling. These situations are devastating for a child, but with the right support at the right time, delivered in the right way, Winston’s Wish helps make sure that they can go on to lead full and flourishing lives.
Winston’s Wish was the UK’s first childhood bereavement charity, set up in 1992 and still leading the way in providing specialist child bereavement support services across the UK today. Their expert teams offer one off and ongoing bereavement support, online resources, specialist publications and training in order to get closer to a society in which every child can get the help they need when someone close to them dies.
Rianna’s Fund has been changing the lives of vulnerable children in Africa and India through care and education since 2004. The charity, set up in memory of Rianna, who passed away when a tree fell on her at school, believes that every child deserves to have the opportunity to learn and attain a level of care and education irrespective of their background. They work tirelessly to ensure that children from the poorest of communities should be given the same opportunities to learn so they can progress and look forward to a brighter future.
NHS Charities Together, on the other hand, provides a voice for NHS charities on a national scale, a forum for nationwide fundraising and advocacy campaigns, specialist advice and guidance, bespoke conferences and training opportunities, and access to online resources and support. NHS Charities Together support the 240 NHS charities across the UK as they focus on helping our hospitals do more.
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