Every year in the UK, an estimated 46,300 children experience the devastating loss of a parent, a life-altering event that no child should face alone.

With one in every UK classroom likely to experience the death of someone close by the age of 16, the need for support for grieving children is a very real and present problem. 

Stephen Johnson, Managing Director of Quooker UK, knows from personal experience how intensely grief can impact young lives. His mother, Sandra, passed away when he was only 18 months old, and the impact of this loss has shaped his understanding of grief and its long-term effects.

Motivated by his own experience, Stephen took on an ambitious challenge in August 2024 to raise awareness and funds for Grief Encounter — a charity dedicated to helping children navigate the complex journey of grief. His challenge: To walk more than 35 marathons over the 31 days of August; an epic journey that took him all along the Spanish coastline, in searing temperatures.

Stephen Johnson walked over 1,000 miles in August 2024 (more than 35 marathons) to raise funds for Grief Encounter, a charity dedicated to helping children navigate grief.

 

The incredible feat translated to two million steps, or over 1,000 miles. As motivation, he set himself a daily target of 46.3 kilometers — symbolic of the 46,300 children who lose a parent each year. 

After completing his challenge in 2024, Stephen suffered another devastating loss when his father, Neville Johnson, sadly passed away. Now, he is channelling his grief into his toughest and most meaningful challenge yet.

This August, he hopes to set a new Guinness World Record for the most steps walked in a single month. He plans to walk an astonishing 2,000km in just 31 days — an average of 65km per day, in hope of raising £100,000 for Grief Encounter.

Stephen’s extraordinary journey will take him across five countries, connecting Quooker offices throughout Europe. The challenge begins in Düsseldorf, Germany, where he will set off and make his way across the border into Belgium, where he will journey through the city of Liège, before making his way to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. His route then takes him to Paris, France, followed by Milan, Italy. Finally, he will reach his last stop in Barcelona, Spain, where he will conclude his mission at Quooker Spain HQ.

His itinerary:

  • Dusseldorf, Germany 
  • Liege, Belgium
  • Rotterdam, Netherlands
  • Paris, France
  • Milan, Italy
  • Barcelona, Spain

Watch as Stephen thanks supporters as he completes his extraordinary challenge of 2024.

 

The charity’s CEO, Suzy Turner, spoke about the importance of such initiatives:

“Grief is not a choice. When it happens in childhood, it is a forced change, thrust into the developing years when understanding of the world, and how to stay safe and happy, is still forming… Stephen’s support will raise vital awareness of the needs of grieving children.” 

Grief Encounter has been at the forefront of providing free, professional bereavement support for nearly two decades. Their mission is to give every child and young person the best possible support following the death of a loved one.

As an open-access charity, they work closely with individuals, families, and schools to offer a way through the anxiety, fear, and isolation that often accompanies grief.

This critical work is funded entirely by donations, making efforts like Stephen’s essential for sustaining their mission.

“The death of a parent is not only incredibly distressing but it is one of the highest risk factors to your health and wellbeing through to adulthood,” Stephen explains. “My hope is that by raising awareness and funds for the vital work of Grief Encounter, more children will benefit from their life-giving support.”

To support Stephen Johnson’s fundraising challenge, contributions can be made through his JustGiving page.

Learn more about the vital work of Grief Encounter here.