The charity initiative is done in the name of Sandra Johnson, Stephen’s mother taken too young
Quooker’s MD
Stephen Johnson embarks on a gruelling challenge to support grieving children in need
of a parent each year. That’s 46,300 children whose lives will change immeasurably forever. As one in every UK classroom will experience the death of someone close by the time they reach 16 years old, this is a very real and present problem facing young people today. Quooker’s MD Stephen Johnson, is all too familiar with grief, after his mother Sandra Johnson died when he was only 18 months. His personal experience of early loss is driving him to raise money for Grief Encounter, a charity that exists to support young people facing similar situations. Grief Encounter has been providing free, professional and specialist bereavement support for nearly two decades. Its mission is to give every child and young person access to the best possible support following the death of someone close. Working closely with individuals, families and schools, the charity offers a way through the anxiety, fear and isolation so often caused by grief. As Grief Encounter is an open access-charity, it is funded entirely by the generosity of its supporters.
46,300
children are estimated to experience the death
The mission. Johnson will be embarking on an ambitious and gruelling challenge by walking more than 35 marathons over the 31 days of August this year. This is the equivalent of walking two million steps over 1000 miles. Each day Johnson will aim to reach 46.3km steps, an homage to the 46,300 children facing parental loss each year. His aim is to raise awareness of the impact on children of the death of someone close whilst raising vital funds for Grief Encounter. Having invested a full year of training, Johnson is putting himself through his paces to help those most in need. Having already received £20k in corporate sponsorship, Johnson has ambitious targets. Calling upon the KBB industry to offer its support, all proceeds will go to the invaluable work of Grief Encounter.
Suzy Turner-Jones, Grief Encounter’s CEO comments, “Grief is not a choice. When it happens in childhood it is a forced change, thrust into the developing years, when understanding of the world, and how to stay safe and happy, is developing too. Stephen is a grieving adult bereaved as a child, whose commitment to a world where no child grieves alone is steadfast. Stephen’s support will raise vital awareness of the needs of grieving children.
“He is committed to raising vital funds that make sure children and families get access to the help they need, when they need it, so that they can find hope and healing. He is the epitome of why the experiences of our children in the first 48 months of their lives matter, how the death of a parent during these tender years shapes the child and adult, and how making memories is a lifetime work for good.”
Commenting on the challenge ahead, Johnson comments, “The death of a parent is not only incredibly distressing, but it is one of the highest risk factors to your health and wellbeing through to adulthood. No child should face grief alone and it is my hope that by raising awareness and funds for the vital work of Grief Encounter, more children will benefit from their life-giving support. The challenge ahead will be incredibly tough and any support the industry can give will help fuel me along the way.”
For more information on Johnson’s charity initiative or to donate, visit
www.justgiving.com/page/stephen-johnson- 1719393474476.
BKU JULY 2024 45
Stephen in training for his walk along the Spanish coastline ahead of August 2024
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