Widow Nikki Haxton-Jones Raises £10,000+ for Firefighter Charity in Husband’s Memory
When Nikki Haxton-Jones’ husband, Danny, suddenly died at work in 2017, she made a vow – to keep fundraising in his name. Over the past five years, Nikki, 41, her two children, and Danny’s firefighter colleagues have tirelessly raised tens of thousands of pounds for the fire service charity close to their hearts.
From Heartbreak to Heroics: Fundraising in Memory of Danny
Danny, a London Fire Brigade firefighter, collapsed suddenly at station from pneumonia-induced arrhythmia. “He was changing behind a locked door and wasn’t found straight away,” says Nikki. “The lads had to perform CPR – it was really tough on them, but at least they tried their hardest.”
Since that tragic day, Nikki has thrown herself into fundraising. From running the Great North Run and the Vitality 10K, to bucket collections and charity cricket matches, she’s done it all. “We wanted to keep things positive for the kids and focus on celebrating Danny,” she says.
Family Focus: Helping Kids Cope Through Fundraising
Mum-of-two Nikki has made it her mission to keep Danny’s memory alive while helping her children, Olivia, 15, and Harry, 12, talk openly about their dad.
“It’s giving them that excuse to talk about him. We’ve made it clear how important it is to remember and speak about what happened.”
The family’s events not only raise vital funds but also bring them together, creating moments of joy amid grief.
Big Results and Bright Futures: More Fundraising Ahead
In October 2022, Nikki organised a glamorous ball that raked in an astonishing £10,297.35. Alongside her colleagues and friends, she pulls out all the stops for each event. One bucket collection at a Wrexham vs Altrincham football match raised £836 alone – with star power behind the scenes after Ryan Reynolds’ takeover of Wrexham FC.
Plus, Nikki is set to take on the Vitality 10K and Great North Run again this year to support the charity. She’s even joined the kent.fire-uk.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener" title="Kent Fire and Rescue Service" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Fire and Rescue Service Control Room team herself, continuing Danny’s legacy firsthand.
“I know the difference our fundraising makes – it means my kids and I can turn to the charity for support in the future.”
Nikki has also been nominated for the Spirit Of Fire Awards and hopes to visit the charity’s respite centres with her children soon, once COVID restrictions fully ease. Her dedication proves how one family’s loss can light the way for others in need.
