Hayley Allinson will be donning her hiking boots this Mother’s Day for a sunrise trek up Pen y Fan as she takes part in our Hike for Hope event.
Winston’s Wish is a cause close to Hayley’s heart. After she was bereaved of her mum, Hayley was supported by us in the aftermath. Hayley shares, “I thought it would be a great way to give back to an amazing charity that has helped me when I was younger and also give myself a good distraction on Mother’s Day.
“I always make sure to give myself something to do on big events like Mother’s Day, my mum’s birthday and the anniversary of her death, so that it gives me more time to reflect on happy memories rather than sitting at home and feeling sad.
“I am looking forward to having that feeling of accomplishment once I have got to the top of Pen y fan. I am yet to venture out in a walk in the rain, but I should practice since Wales is known for its rainy weather!
“As a day job, I work in a nursery and I work as the SENco so I help children who may have additional needs. What I would like people to know about child bereavement is that everyone goes on a different path.
“Even if they seem like the happiest child in the world and like nothing has happened, they may still be feeling big emotions on the inside but don’t want to share those feelings in fear of adding more stress onto a family who is already stressed.
“Having open and honest conversations with children about their feelings and also your own feelings can help them get through hard times. Also having open conversations with children who haven’t been through bereavement so they are aware of different family situations they may come across, can be great for their understanding.”
Hike for Hope will take place on the 15th of March, a date many will acknowledge as Mother’s Day.
The event will see intrepid trekkers pick up their hiking boots and take part in a sponsored walk under starlight to enjoy a sunrise finish atop South Wales’ tallest peak, part of the beautiful Bannau Brycheiniog. There is a £25 registration fee and a minimum sponsorship to raise £160.
We recognise that Mother’s Day can be an especially tricky time of year for many bereaved children and young people.
Hayley comments, “Mother’s Day as an adult can be hard but as I have previously said about trying to find distractions on the day, I always go visit my mum’s grave with my dad as a few of our other family members are buried there and lay some flowers down and then we normally go for a walk somewhere.”
If you would like to join Hayley and find out more about the Hike for Hope Pen y Fan, visit the dedicated page on the Winston’s Wish Events site. Participants can expect a bundle from Winston’s Wish, including dedicated fundraising support, access to the training as well as a branded technical t-shirt.
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