Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I am raising money for Age UK a charity that is very close to my heart. 

In November 2018 I joined Age UK’s befriending scheme and that is how I met Annie. 

The scheme is a way to put elderly people in touch with somebody who can give them some company and to become a friend to them. When I signed up to be a volunteer befriender I had no idea who I might be ‘set up’ with or how the friendship would evolve. I hoped to meet a woman who could tell me lovely stories about her life, to share stories of my own life with and above all to find someone to have a good giggle with. I couldn’t have asked for anybody better than Annie and to make things even better, I got to become really good friends with Annie’s daughter Sandra during my visits and now Sandra and I remain good friends for life! 

Annie was one of the loveliest women I have ever had the chance to meet, she always had the ability to make everyone laugh, tell fantastic stories and she was a great mum to her daughter Sandra. I am eternally grateful to Age UK for their befriending scheme as without it I wouldn’t have had the privilege of meeting Annie and her lovely daughter. 

My dear friend Annie sadly passed away in May last year and she remains a great big miss to everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. I wanted to do something to honour her life and to raise funds for a charity I really believe in so here it is! I will be running the Great North Run this year raising funds for Age UK in honour of Annie Gardner. 

Thank you for any donations! 

Jess xxx

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.