Barrow woman says goodbye to dad with Helvellyn challenge

Kirsty Parkinson took part in the Helvellyn At Night challenge - to both raise money for St Mary's Hospice and scatter her father's ashes.

The 43-year-old had been an avid supporter of the charity for many years but took that to the next level following the care her dad Eddie received in 2022.

Kirsty said: "I have done quite a lot of fundraising for St Mary’s because I knew what it meant to people - I like supporting people and I always add money to people’s fundraising for St Mary’s because I just know what it means to people.  

“But then my dad spent his last few days there and now I know why people want to fundraise so much because it was amazing - I wanted to do something special that would mean something to him.” 

Eddie was an avid walker, meaning the challenge was the perfect way to commemorate his life (Image: St Mary's Hospice)

After seeing the social media post about the event and knowing her dad was an avid walker, it made sense for her to take part.

It was always Kirsty’s plan to scatter her dad’s ashes when she got to the top and she explained she has never really been able to put into words the feeling of pride and accomplishment when she reached the summit at sunrise. 

The mum-of-three added: “My dad was cremated so it was my plan to take his ashes and spread them - it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done climbing that and I know it sounds silly, but if I didn’t have my dad in my bag I wouldn’t have got to the top.

"I’ll never, ever forget the experience - to do that for him and to be able to scatter his ashes as the top, there’s no words really.” 

Kirsty at the top of Helvellyn (Image: St Mary's Hospice)

Having completed a similar challenge, Kirsty is now encouraging other people in the community to sign up to the Blencathra at Night event being held by St Mary’s.  

The event takes place on June 8 into the morning of June 9 and there are still places available with coach transfers available from Barrow.

For more information about the event and how to sign up, visit the website here.