'He's at rest' - 26-mile hike planned in honour of Blackpool dad and Army veteran who died at 34
“All funds will now be going toward Kez’s funeral costs."
A 26-mile walk is to take place to give the best possible send-off to a Blackpool dad and Army veteran who died suddenly at the age of 34.
Kieron Halsall had a dream of marrying his partner of 16 years, Gina – but tragically passed away unexpectedly before he could do so. Over the course of just a a matter of months, Kieron – known as Kez – died from an unknown and aggressive form of stage four cancer.
Having spent much of his childhood in Lancaster, Kieron latterly lived in Blackpool with Gina and their two young children, with the couple planning to marry before everything changed in June. Kez was taken ill out of the blu, and was eventually diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma from an unknown primary source.
The cancer spread to his lymph nodes, with lesions affecting his spine and the lining of his brain. As a result, he suffered temporary loss of sight in his right eye due to pressure caused by the disease, as well as enduring constant pain throughout his body.
Kez sadly passed away on Saturday September 12. An Army veteran, he had devoted his life to helping others.
"He proudly served his country in the Royal Logistics Corps, where he quickly progressed to become a Vehicle Support Specialist”, Kez’s friend Garry Dawson said. "During his military career, he spent a significant period serving in the Falkland Islands. After leaving the Army, Kez built a successful landscaping business and continued giving back to his community.
"As a member of the fundraising group The Burlyesque Boys, he played a key role in helping raise more than £10,000 for Mind UK, supporting people struggling with mental health challenges. After his diagnosis, Kez was unable to work, making it difficult to fulfil his one wish: to marry the love of his life, Gina.
“While initially the fundraiser had hoped to help make this happen, all funds will now be going toward Kez’s funeral costs."
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The ‘Walking for Kez: Lancaster Castle to Blackpool Tower’ event takes place on Saturday October 3.
Garry said: “We will be taking on a challenge that means so much more than just a long walk. He is now pain free and at rest. We are undertaking this challenge to help raise the funds needed to give him the best possible send off the great man deserves. This journey is especially meaningful because it reflects Kez's own life journey.
“He spent much of his youth in Lancaster, a place filled with happy memories, before moving to Blackpool to build a life with Gina and raise their family. Every step I take will be for Kez, Gina, and their children. Every single donation, no matter how small, will go directly to Gina to help them create the most beautiful send-off."
You can donate online at https://www.gofundme.com/f/In-loving-memory-of-Kez
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Planned route and checkpoints
- Start: Lancaster Castle
- Checkpoint 1: Galgate - The Plough, LA2 0LF
- Checkpoint 2: Forton - The Butty Hut, PR3 0BL
- Checkpoint 3: Cabus - Cabus Village Hall, PR3 1WL
- Checkpoint 4: Catterall - Kirkland and Catterall Mimorial Hall, PR3 0HS
- Checkpoint 5: St Michael's - The Grapes, PR3 0TJ
- Checkpoint 6: Great Eccleston - The White Bull, PR3 0YB
- Checkpoint 7: Poulton-Le-Fylde - Lidl, FY6 8JW
- Finish: The Comedy Carpet opposite Blackpool Tower