Daughter gets running for well-known pig farmer after stroke

Thursday 05 January 2023

A farmer whose sausages, pies, scotch eggs and chops are a firm favourite of many islanders is recovering from a stroke - and his daughter has signed up to her first half-marathon to raise money for a local support charity.

Jon Hackett – whose pigs, poultry and shop along Route des Genets is a familiar part of the St. Brelade landscape – suffered a stroke on 11 November, which has affected his speech and mobility.

The 74-year-old is now recovering at the assessment and rehabilitation centre on Samarès Ward at Overdale.

Now Mr Hackett’s daughter Kate – who along with her mum Jenny, brother Jono and daughter Ella is running the family ‘Me and the Farmer’ business at Brooklands Farm - has pledged to run the Hospice 2 Hospice Half Marathon in March.

As well as raising money for Jersey Hospice, Miss Hackett will be fundraising for Jersey Stroke Support, a local charity which helps stroke survivors and their families.

She said: “Our world has been turned upside since the early hours of 11 November, and I want to help raise awareness and much-needed money to support this fantastic charity.”

Pictured: Mr Hackett photographed in August 2020 (Rob Currie).

Talking about her father's stroke, she added: “That Friday morning, mum heard dad banging around upstairs and then a thud. 

“When he hadn’t come down by 6.30 am, which is unusual for dad, she went up and found he had collapsed out of the bed. When my sister arrived and saw that he couldn’t talk or use his right side, she immediately suspected a stroke and called an ambulance.

“He had a clot in the left frontal lobe. It was touch and go for a while, but he is all right now.

“Dad’s speech is not great, but he is doing the best he can. He knows what he wants to say but cannot always get the words out, so it is frustrating for him. 

“He also has limited use of his right side, just being able to wiggle his toes at the moment. He has a lot of rehabilitation ahead, but we know he is in good hands.”

Miss Hackett added that her dad, who is often known as ‘Farmer Jon’, had always led an active life, which included barefoot water skiing, horse riding and skiing, in addition to running a busy and successful farm.

"It was very tough for him immediately after the stroke but since then lots of people have been to visit and are spurring him on," she said. "He is responding to rehab and we are starting to see small steps of progress.

"We keep reminding him not to give up because we're certainly not giving up on him."

People wishing to donate can do so via her JustGiving page.