“Join me in the Walk of Light. Let’s bring hope of a brighter future.”

The bottom fell out of our world when I lost my husband, Matthew, to blood cancer. My son, Peter, was just nine months old at the time. I remember thinking as I watched Peter take his first steps, just months after losing his daddy, that we’d have to take those Peter steps as we forged our own way through life. Sometimes slow and steady, sometimes brave, sometimes uncertain.

This was a chance of raising money for a charity close to our hearts since losing Matthew. I always wanted to take part in charity events, but I found it hard to commit to, especially when raising a young child. But the Walk of Light was more flexible – you can choose your own length and route.

Another reason it appealed to me is because it takes place as the sun sets, which was coincidentally Matthew's favourite time of day. This event took me back to Peter's first steps, and all of the subsequent steps we’ve taken together since. I found it somewhat symbolic.

We simply had to do it!

Initially, I posted in a social media group I was a part of, where there were parents of other children in Peter’s class. It was cathartic to post about our experiences – now they knew about our family situation without us having to have those awkward conversations in the future.

Donations soon came flooding into our JustGiving page, with encouraging words from so many lovely people. Next, I posted on my personal social media page. True to form, my widowed friends reached out, and we saw more donations coming through.

The day before our walk, I reached out on social media one last time. This time, for moral support.

We not only got a promise from the ships saying they would, but we found that strangers wanted to donate and support us too!

As a result, we all but doubled the amount we had raised up to that point. Then, magically, it happened – loud and clear, a message of strength and support from over the waves.

This will always be such a special memory for us.

Suddenly, I was getting private messages of support and thanks from people who hadn't known that Blood Cancer UK even existed. A poem I wrote thanking the ships, and mentioning the Walk of Light, even got published in a book. It feels good to be a part of something that also raises awareness of blood cancer – a condition that affects so many people.

To read so many inspiring and moving stories from other people, and to be able to share our own, has been very humbling and cathartic. Especially, as this year will mark the thirteenth anniversary of Matthew's death.

Everyone in the Walk of Light Facebook group has a special place in my heart. Reading posts from other people, including their kind and supportive words, has given me hope for the future.

They’ve reminded me that what we’re all doing is important. Together, we can stop other families from suffering the grief of losing someone special to blood cancer too.

Together, we’d raise money and spirits. We laughed, cried and shared our experiences with those who can understand and relate to what we’ve gone through. I now class these amazing people as my friends, and I look forward to walking with many of them again this year.

Better still, my boy and I are closer than ever. The walk has been cathartic for us. Peter and I, through the steps we’ve taken, have raised money that will help other people live full lives.

Peter hopes that by taking part in the Walk of Light, he can help to fund life-saving research, so that more dads survive blood cancer – so they can see their child take their first steps.

My advice to other people who are considering whether to take part is: just do it!

Take that first step. Your walk could make the difference as to when a cure is found.

Every step counts. Every penny counts, however big or small.