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In Loving Memory of Darrell Jacques — Jadeyns 50km Challenge for Combat Stress

By Laura Mackin

Donate to Laura and help them reach their fundraising goal of 3000 ❤️

My Activity Tracking

31
mi

My target 31 mi

Today, 16th January, We did it!

Jadeyn and I completed our 50km challenge in memory of her granda, Darrell.
We started early, just after 8am, and kept going.
By the time we finished, we had covered 31.069 miles, taken 69,864 steps, and spent 7 hours, 49 minutes and 54 seconds walking laps of Wallace Park. 

Numbers feel small compared to what the day actually held, but they matter because every one of them was carried with purpose.
Along the way, we weren’t alone.
We were joined by friends and family who walked beside us, even if only for a lap or two. Darrell’s wife Tracy came out to walk with us. His four sons — Scott, Myles, Jason and Ellis — each walked a good distance, and having them there meant more than words can explain. We had friends calling in just to say hello or walk a lap, and Darrell’s work friends Gail, Rob and Stephen came out of their way to support us too. Every single face, every step beside us, mattered.
When you think about it, the distance walked today didn’t just belong to us.
When you add together all the people Darrell affected in his life — the ones who showed up, the ones who carried him in their thoughts, the ones whose lives were shaped by his kindness — the distance travelled was far greater than any number we could ever measure. For someone as genuinely good as him, no amount of miles would ever be enough.
This day was never really about distance or time.
It was about carrying someone forward.

The money raised is going to a charity Darrell cared deeply about.
Even now, in January 2026, it is still him. It is still Darrell who is the reason this charity will benefit in such a meaningful way. Because of the way he lived, because of who he was, and because of how deeply he is loved, veterans who never met him will be helped because of him.
Jadeyn didn’t do this for money.
She did it to show her granda that he isn’t going anywhere. 

Today, she achieved something she knows would have made her granda proud, and something she hopes makes her nanny proud too. Step by step, she carried him into 2026. He may not be here beside us anymore, but as long as we carry him, speak his name, and live with the values he showed us, he is still very much present. Today proved that.

It was a day well spent. A full-heart day.
There are very tired legs and feet that will be resting this weekend, but they’re tired in the best possible way.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to every single person who donated, shared, walked, stopped by, or held us in their thoughts today.

Thank you for helping us make this what it became.

2 days to go!

I just want to take a minute to say thank you. Truly. Every share, every message, every donation, every quiet show of support — it’s been felt more than you’ll ever know.
This walk has never just been about the distance. It’s about Darrell. About who he was, how he lived, and what he meant to the people who loved him. He can’t walk beside us — but he’s still here as long as we carry him with us. And that’s exactly what Jadeyn is doing.
This isn’t about money for her. It’s about showing her granda that he’s not going anywhere. That he’s still spoken about, still remembered, still part of our days and our steps forward.

In two days’ time we’ll set off, starting around 8am. This is a walk to remember. Everyone and anyone is welcome to say hi if you pass us, stop for a chat, or even join us for a lap along the way. No pressure, no expectations — just shared moments, memories, and steps.

We’ll be carrying him in every step, every sore leg, every deep breath. Thank you for helping us do this. Thank you for remembering him with us. 

Thank you!

From me and Jadeyn, we just want to say thank you.

What we’ve received so far — especially the messages — has meant more than we can put into words. This page exists to spread the word, but more than that, it exists because one man deserves to be seen.

At one point, I was asked why it keeps coming back to Darrell. Why his name, his story, his memory keeps being spoken about. And the answer felt simple: it has to keep coming back. Because it’s only when we stop returning to someone — stop saying their name, stop sharing their stories — that they begin to fade.

People aren’t gone when they pass. They live on in the memories they left, the things they did, the way they made others feel. As long as we speak about them, they are still here. In that way, he’s here more than ever.

He lived in a way that’s hard to find now. He was the best they come. A granda like no other. The kind of person you’d swear only exists in films — that steady goodness, that feeling that things would be alright — that was him.

This isn’t about asking for money. It’s about taking a couple of minutes of time. Time to read, to share, to remember. Because all of us are carrying someone we miss, especially at this time of year, and remembering is a way of keeping love alive.

Whether you shared the page, read the story, sent a message, or simply paused to think of someone you miss — thank you. Every part of that matters to us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for seeing him.

— Laura & Jadeyn

In Loving Memory of Darrell Jacques — Jadeyns 50km Challenge for Combat Stress

On the 5th of July 2025, our world changed forever when Darrell Jacques — a loving granda, a devoted father, a proud veteran, and the heart of our family — passed away suddenly. 
He was only 63.

Darrell was born on 7th September 1961 in England. He served many years in the army before moving to Northern Ireland with his partner, Tracy, where they went on to have their four sons: Scott, Jason, Myles and Ellis. 
He then went on to work with Corps Security, where he gave every ounce of effort and loyalty that he gave to everything else in life.
He lived simply and loved deeply. His family came first. Always.
He worked all week, worked Saturdays too, and still found his joy in the little things — sitting down to watch his beloved Leicester City play, spending time with his family and being the constant, quiet strength that held everyone together. 

For my daughters, Jadeyn (10) and Harley (8), he wasn’t just a granda — he was their world.

To everyone, Darrell was a true gentleman, to his grandaughters, he was their hero. For Tracy, he was her everything.

But even in the heartbreak, something beautiful happened.

A 10-Year-Old With a Big Heart and a Bold Plan

My daughter, Jadeyn, decided she wants to do something bold — something that shows her nanny, Tracy, that even though her granda isn’t here physically, his memory is not going anywhere. His love, his strength, and his legacy will carry on through us.

Darrell was a huge supporter of Combat Stress, the charity that helps veterans struggling with their mental health. It mattered to him. 

So now, it matters to us.
That’s why Jadeyn and I will be taking on a 50km walk/jog/run challenge in his honour.
It’s long.
It’s hard.
And that’s exactly the point.
Because the things that matter — the people that matter — are worth pushing for.
This is more than a challenge.
It’s a statement.
A promise.
A tribute.
From a granddaughter who adored her granda.
From a family who will carry his memory for the rest of our lives.

Why We’re Asking for Your Support
Every donation, big or small, helps support the veterans Darrell cared so deeply about. And it shows one little girl that her effort and her grief can be turned into something powerful — something that helps others, just as her granda always did.
We’ll walk every mile with him in our hearts.
Thank you for reading our story.
Thank you for helping us honour him.
And thank you for supporting Combat Stress, a charity that meant so much to Darrell.

In his memory,
For his legacy,

With all our love —
Jadeyn & Laura

In Loving Memory of Darrell Jacques — Jadeyns 50km Challenge for Combat Stress

In Loving Memory of Darrell Jacques — Jadeyns 50km Challenge for Combat Stress

This year, our family lost someone incredibly special — Darrell Jacques, a proud veteran, a loving granda, and the heart of our family. To honour his memory, my daughter Jadeyn (10) and I are taking on a 50km walk/jog/run in support of Combat Stress, a charity he cared deeply about. This challenge is Jadeyn’s way of showing her nanny, Tracy, that even though her granda is no longer here, his memory and legacy will carry on. We’re doing this with love, pride, and every step taken for him.

The walk will take place in Wallace Park, Lisburn, on the 16th of January 2026.
It’s a peaceful, open route that’s meaningful to our family, and it gives Jadeyn the perfect place to complete her challenge in memory of her granda. We’ll be starting at the main gates and following the loop through the park, keeping it safe and accessible for anyone who wants to join us on the day or simply send their support from afar.

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My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

£500

Nybor

For Darrell who we loved, his passing is a great loss to us all, yes Darrell you can have a discount :) with fondest memories of the fun you brought in life, Robyn and the team at Nybor x

£265

Tracy Jacques

£150

Scott Jacques

£118.72

James Jacques

£106

Anonymous

Hope it all goes well for yous

£100

Ellis Jacques

£92.22

Laura Mackin

£68

Auntie Paula

Well done Jadeyn

£53.32

Lagan Motor Factors

£53.32

Jonny Pauley

£53.32

Myles

Granda would be proud of you Jadeyn x

£53.32

Jonathan Mccrea

£53.32

Dale Johnson

Fantastic tribute to a great man and the best mentor I've ever had or likely to have. Massively missed.

£50.14

Jess

£50

Emma & Robbie

Good luck Jadeyn, proud of you! ❤️

£50

Thomas Rea

£50

Mike Bullock

Well done Jadeyn, lovely way to remember for a cause that means so much

£50

Salman Shamim

Not only would Darell have have loved this, he would also have been incredibly proud. Bravo

£48.04

Aiden Mccloskey

£40.60

Robert Whittle

£40.60

Vivienne Mackin

£38

Patricia Kyle

£32.23

Colin Irwin

Berry

£32.23

Nanny Denise

From Nanny Denise

£29.15

Richard Mcdowell

£27.05

John Ford

Served with Darrell for 10 years at Corp, such a wonderful man and colleague, go smash that 50k!

£27.05

Eileen O'keefe

Your Granda would be so proud, he was a dear friend and boss to us here at Birmingham, miss him so much, his name lives on here, always will, Well done Jadeyn xx

£27.05

Robin & Andrea Scott

What amazing thing to do for your Granda.

£27.05

Nige Horne

Darrell is very missed, this is a wonderful tribute to him.

£27

Neil Shanks

£27

David Adu-gyamfi

Darrell was one of a kind. He is dearly missed.

£25

Rob Davies

Worked with Darrell for 13 years and always had a laugh with him, absolute gent and really missed.

£25

Sarah Heard

£21.84

Amanda Crossey

£21.84

Garvin

£21.84

Colton Irwin

£21.84

Michael Browne

£21.84

Wendy And Ian Scott

£21.84

Snoop Shorten

£21.84

Paul Cloke

Still hard to think that Darrell is no longer with us. A true gentleman who always had time for everyone. The memory of Darrell being awarded the Founder Cup in front of his colleagues will stay with us

£21.84

Joanne Mckay

Your granda will be very proud of you

£21.84

Andy Nash

A great challenge to remember a great man. He is hugely missed by all in Corps and the Birmingham region is not the same without him

£21.36

Kev Nash

Thank you!!

£20

Cher Bryson

£20

Aaron A

£20

Sinead Creaney

£20

Brandon Coburn

£20

Lisa Mcguigan

£20

Stephen Larkin

Good luck jadeyn

£20

Hamza

Forever in our thoughts Boss...

£16.20

Anonymous

This is such a wonderful thing that Jadeyn is doing. Such compassion, the love of a grandparent is boundless. Best ofbluck and love. Tx

£16.20

Laura Barnes

An incredible challenge Jadeyn, hope it goes well!

£15

Nicola

£11.33

Adam Sharman

Darrell would be proud , great effort and great cause

£11.33

Christine Orford

£11.33

Jake Lacey

Wishing you all the best, Darrell would be very proud.

£11.09

Kaitlyn Mulholland

£10

Mrs Duffy

Your Granda would be very proud of you Jadeyn. 👏

£10

Scarlet & Leontia

Good luck Jadeyn

£10

Johnny Mcdowell

£10

Tanya Craig

£10

Anonymous

Good luck a worthy cause.

£10

Rachael Williams

Well done! 50k is no mean feat, I'm sure Darrell would be incredibly proud. Love to all. Rach from Corps HR