Boiling water tap brand Quooker MD Stephen Johnson has started his challenge to walk more than 35 marathons over 31 days of August, 2024, in aid of charity Grief Encounter.

Grief Encounter provides free, professional and specialist bereavement support for young people following the death of someone close, working with individuals, families and schools.

Stephen Johnson chose the charity as he has personal experience of early loss, after his mother Sandra Johnson died when he was only 18 months old.

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Following a year of training, Johnson will walk the equivalent of two million steps over 1,000 miles.

Each day, he will aim to reach 46.3km steps, in recognition of the 46,300 children facing parental loss each year.

Johnson has already received £16K in corporate sponsorship but is calling upon the KBB industry help him raise £50,000 and donations can be made using a dedicated justgiving page.

Grief Encounter’s CEO Suzy Turner-Jones commented: “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, Stephen Johnson commented: “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.”