Moira Jones: Charity run returns to honour murder victim's memory
Hundreds were able to take part in the run for the first time in three years
Last updated 23rd Oct 2022
Hundreds of people took part in a charity run in Queen's Park in Glasgow today in memory of a murdered woman.
It was the first time since the pandemic that the run was able to take place there.
Moira Jones was abducted just yards from her home before being raped and beaten to death in the park in May 2008.
The 40-year-old's killer, Marek Harcar, was later jailed for life.
Moira's mum, Bea, her dad, Hu and brother, Grant, set up the charity shortly after to help others bereaved through violence.
Since then, more than 1,000 families across the UK have benefitted from its aid.
Runners from clubs all over the city, as well as members of the bereaved families, took part in the 5k run today.
Members from Support for Families Bereaved by Crime (SFBC) and the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU) were also there.
Bea Jones said: "It feels wonderful - I'm so pleased.
"If they didn't all come, then none of this would be possible.
"Moira loved Glasgow and all the people in it."
As well as help with funeral, court and home costs, the charity provides people with the chance to get away for a bit.
"It's very hard to get away from it all and some periods are more stressful than others - like the build-up before a trial," Bea said.
"A few days away, perhaps to visit relatives, can be a real help and be something to look forward to.
"We helped a woman go to Wimbledon for a few nights - it had always been her dream.
"It meant so much to her and to her family.
"That's the thing - if we help one family member, we know we're helping the rest too.
"We get a lot of calls from parents saying they're worried about their kids - it might be that they can't afford to get them a new laptop for school.
"If we help the child, then we're helping the parent too, who's probably more worried about it than they are."
Bea and her family have also helped to launch a Scottish Homicide Service, which provides murder victims' families with a dedicated case worker.
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