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The daughter of a well-known pig farmer who is recovering from a stroke has raised her fundraising target after an overwhelming response to her efforts.
Kate Hackett – whose father Jon suffered a stroke on 11 November – is running her first half marathon later this month.
She is raising money for Jersey Stroke Support, a local charity which helps stroke survivors and their families.
Initially setting a target of £500, Miss Hackett said she had been overwhelmed by the initial response so had raised her target to £7,500 – in recognition of her dad’s 75th birthday, which is this Monday.
She has currently raised just over £6,500 so has £1,000 to go.
Pictured: Mr Hackett photographed in August 2020 (Rob Currie).
Mr Hackett’s pigs, poultry and shop along Route des Genets is a familiar feature of the St. Brelade landscape, and his sausages, pies, burgers and chops are a firm favourite of many islanders.
Miss Hackett, along with her mum Jenny, brother Jono and daughter Ella, is running the family ‘Me and the Farmer’ business at Brooklands Farm.
She said that after some difficult days immediately after the stroke, her father was now in a much better place and was focused on his recovery.
“There has been a massive turnaround in the last few weeks,” she said. “He has got a lot of movement back in his right leg. There’s nothing yet in the right arm but he is in much better spirits.
“He’s had a couple of urinary infections which have set him back but every time he has bounced back.
“His speech is coming along as well; it is all going in the right direction.
“We have a whiteboard next to his bed at Samarès Ward counting down the days to the run and he is really getting behind it.”
She added: “Jersey Stroke Support is an amazing charity and I'm delighted to be supporting it. They aren’t directly helping dad yet as he is still in hospital, but Tracy [O'Regan, of the charity] is regularly in touch with mum and I know they will step in when he gets home.
“I’ve also passed on the charity’s details to customers who have had a stroke and they are now being supported, so already it is having a really positive impact.”
People wishing to donate can do so via her JustGiving page.
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