Mum Raises Over £10,000 for Firefighter Charity in Memory of Hero Husband
Nikki Haxton-Jones, 41, has gone all out to honour her late husband Danny’s legacy – raising more than £10,000 for the firefighter charity close to their hearts. Since Danny’s sudden death at work in 2017, Nikki and her two kids have thrown themselves into fundraising with unstoppable passion.
From Tragedy to Tenacity: A Family’s Fundraising Mission
When Danny, a London Fire Brigade firefighter, collapsed suddenly at the station aged just 37, Nikki was left to face life without him – while helping her children, Olivia, 15, and Harry, 12, cope with their grief.
“Danny was a positive person, so we really didn’t want it to be all negative at the time,” says Nikki. “We started fundraising straight away – the lads on station did a Ladder Climb just weeks after he passed. We’ve done the Great North Run, charity cricket matches, bucket collections, and more.”
With Danny’s colleagues, friends, and family backing her, Nikki has organised everything from abseiling challenges to glamorous balls. She’s even taken up a role herself in control at Kent Fire and Rescue to keep that firefighting spirit alive.
How Fundraising Helps the Family and Fire Service
The fundraising isn’t just about money – it’s also a way for the family to stay connected to Danny and each other. Nikki is determined to teach her children to speak openly about their dad:
“It’s giving them the excuse to talk about him. We’ve made it clear how important it is to keep his memory alive.”
The charity has provided vital emotional support for Nikki and her kids, and also helped the firefighters involved in trying to save Danny’s life. Though Nikki hasn’t yet used the charity’s respite centres, she’s keen to take her children there for a well-earned break once Covid restrictions ease.
Big Haul from Balls, Runs and Bucket Collections
October 2022 saw Nikki’s glittering charity ball rake in a whopping £10,297.35, thanks to the hard work of friends and colleagues pulling out all the stops. Other efforts include a bucket collection at a Wrexham vs Altrincham football match, raising £836 – with backing from new club owners and Hollywood star Ryan Reynolds.
Looking ahead, Nikki and her family will hit the Vitality 10K and the Great North Run again this year, showing no signs of slowing down.
“It’s fun to take part in fundraising, big or small,” Nikki says. “We’ve done cake sales, non-uniform days, and Brew With A Crew events around Kent. It brings people together and supports the Charity too.”
Thanks to Nikki’s tireless efforts, her family can look forward confident that the charity will be there for them whenever they need support.
