Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home are overjoyed to announce their partnership with their new ambassador Rob Walker.
Rob Walker is a sports broadcaster and commentator who has worked regularly on BBC Sport, ITV Sport and Channel 4 since 1999. He has covered 10 editions of the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the last 10 editions of the World Athletics Championships, 6 successive Commonwealth Games, as well as being the voice and face of Snooker as MC and reporter since 2007. With almost 25 years of live tv experience in the industry, Walker is working at the highest level of his craft on network tv. He is renowned for his energy, enthusiasm and distinctive voice on air.
Rob Walker is incredibly proud to be announced as an ambassador for a charity that provides exceptional palliative care and support to children with life-limiting conditions.
Rob is a father to a son and a public speaker, making regular visits to schools and universities. He was personally involved in a life-changing incident on the 5th of June 2005 whilst out on a run in Glasgow, which involved a rescue attempt. This taught him much about the fragility of life and reiterated the importance of enjoying every day as it comes. Jessie May’s work is so personal to Rob because as a parent himself, he has huge empathy for the guardians of unwell children.
In June last year, Rob completed a massive 19 days of running and cycling from John O’ Groats to Lands’ End in memory of four friends who tragically lost their lives over an 18-month period. The Absent Friends Tour, as named by Rob, was completed alongside his regular day job, so between substantial shifts of exercise he was taking time out to complete TV and snooker interviews.
One of the people for whom Rob covered the 1053 miles was a nine-year-old boy named George who passed away in December 2022. George was a bundle of joy and a great great friend to Rob’s son Arthur. The final week of Rob’s massive expedition was completed alongside George’s Dad Paul.
“We talked a lot about George and it was really good that George was front and centre in our thoughts and that Paul was comfortable telling funny stories about him”.
Seeing such a close friend experience the loss of a child is what makes Jessie May’s mission so close to Rob’s heart.
Rob knows the importance of creating a safe space for conversation and how important it is to simply listen and be there to lean on. Rob has realised firsthand that whilst you will never stop bereaved parents from falling, you can help try and catch them before they hit rock bottom.
“I am so proud to be announced as an ambassador for Jessie May. Having to experience the loss of a child must be unimaginable and I want to support any charity that is making a difference”.
Kim James-Coggins, Partnership Executive at Jessie May said ‘We are so excited that Rob is joining us as an ambassador. I followed Rob’s epic journey last year and met him when he finished at Lands End and the passion Rob has for Jessie May is just incredible. I am excited to work with him more in the future.
