JJ's All Stars raise over £11,000 walking a marathon for patient care

On Saturday 22 April, a sea of orange t-shirts swept around Havering as Julia Judd inspired 47 people to walk a full or half marathon, raising more than £11,600 for Saint Francis Hospice. 

It all started with a Facebook post during the Covid pandemic in 2021 saying, "Ok I have a plan! I can't see much changing in the next three months, so I thought I would do something that gives people something to work towards and achieve a positive target. Anyone interested? How about walking a marathon with me and being part of All Stars - raising much needed funds for Saint Francis Hospice, our local Hospice?”  

Back in May 2021 over 50 individuals took up that original challenge and walked either the full marathon (26.2 miles) or a half marathon (13.1 miles), raising a fantastic total amount of £14,252.63!

JJ's All Stars in 2021

JJ's All Stars back in 2023

It was such a success we decided to do it all again this year.  Some people who took part originally signed up for a second time, bring new family and friends to join them and there were some new faces too. So, with a four-month training plan starting in January, the All Stars set out to take up this new challenge.  It was a great opportunity to have a focus during the winter months, getting outside in the fresh air, walking and talking to support each other’s physical and mental health wellbeing, and ultimately raising another wonderful amount of money to support Saint Francis Hospice and another chosen charity, Orchid, who support men with diagnosed with cancer.

Some of the participants at the starting point

On Saturday, the walk started at Everyone Active in Noak Hill and then moved around local country parks, including Havering Country Park, Bedfords Park, Raphael Park, Lodge Farm Park and The Manor.  It ended after walking through the Hospice and crossing the finishing line at The Orange Tree Pub in Havering-atte-Bower, where friends and supporters were there to greet them at the finisher’s BBQ.

Many of these people had not met before Saturday, yet strangers walked together, friends encouraged each other to carry on when things got tough, even the muddy fields and hilly inclines didn’t deter them.  

To see these people all come together, supporting each other, sharing the laughter and sometimes a little pain, to finish a goal set out months before, was a truly wonderfully experience.  

The support from local businesses and friends was wonderful too and it culminated in this second All Stars event being another truly wonderful day.