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LOCAL HERO: 95 year old Maria Keaveney-Jessiman

LOCAL HERO: 95 year old Maria Keaveney-Jessiman

95-year-old great grandmother’s steps up to raise vital funds charity, Maria Keaveney-Jessiman takes on a challenge as part of her dedication to give children a better life

Wimbledon resident and 95-year-old great grandmother of 14, Maria Keaveney-Jessiman, has climbed the equivalent of Mount Kilimanjaro through lockdown using her stairs – and she plans to keep up on walking to raise funds for children’s charities.

Maria Keaveney-Jessiman

Maria Keaveney-Jessiman

In March, Maria set herself a goal of climbing 50,000 steps, at 1,000 steps per day, up and down the stairs of her home. Delighted by the money raised so far, and having already surpassed her initial target by completing 60,000 steps, she has doubled her goal and plans to continue climbing with hopes to reach 100,000 steps by September. Money raised will go to a number of children’s charities close to her heart: Rianna’s Fund, Winston’s Wish and the NHS.

As the founder and principal of Eveline Day Nursery Schools, in South West London, Maria and her family have long supported charities who champion the importance of education and the effects it can have on a child’s life. In 2018, the family businesses supported Rianna’s Fund, in the renovation and extension of the Covenant Community Academy School in Uganda. This project was very special to Maria and she wanted to continue to support this charity from behind the scenes, whilst also staying healthy throughout lockdown.

Said Mrs Keaveney-Jessiman, a resident of Wimbledon Village for over 60 years: “With a little more time on my hands during the lockdown, and so many British children out of school for the first time in their lives, I felt it was the perfect time to do something that would raise awareness of the importance of education. Children are our future and each of these charities support children in need and hold value to my heart. I’ve had a lovely life and I want to make sure as many children as possible have that same chance.”

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To support Maria on her walk and help raise money for Rianna’s Fund please visit