Kirstie was a big part of my life, the energy and warmth she had towards Gabe's friends was one of a kind. To celebrate Kirstie's life, achievements and legacy I will be running the Copenhagen Marathon 5th May 2024 for Developmentplus (a charity that Kirstie worked closely with).

Developmentplus is an exceptional charity that works alongside disadvantaged and vulnerable people to help them identify issues which have a detrimental effect on their lives and then to develop solutions focussed pathways for moving forwards.

Kate Edgar, lead development Worker at Developmentplus, kindly provided some words in memory of Kirstie:

"Whenever I’m asked about Kirstie, I think the phrase that predominantly springs to mind is ‘one in a million’. That phrase is true of everyone, we’re all unique, we all bring something new to the table, but with Kirstie it was different. That phrase almost doesn’t seem big enough to fully explain quite how amazingly unique, she really was.

She saw the world though angelic eyes. She saw people in the same way, not just who they presented to be, but she saw their souls, their truth, their stories and she loved them, for all that they were and all they had endured.

It was this quality that made her so brilliant when it came to her work, that made her so successful connecting with the people she supported and drove her passion to support people to love themselves they way she did. Find the best version of themselves and help them nurture it, bring it to the surface and push forward when it seemed the world was against them.

She wholeheartedly believed in people, that second, third and fourth chances were deserved in any circumstances, that everybody was capable of growth and change and she was a beacon for justice and advocacy.

I was lucky enough to work with Kirstie and learn from her, see first hand the immeasurable impact she had on everyone she came into contact with, but for those she supported, that impact was life changing. She was often the only person they trusted, the person they knew always had their back, would walk alongside them no matter what, never judge or chastise. Just love without condition and provide a safe and calm space in world of chaotic.

Kirstie touched everyone who met her, but for the community she supported, she was so much more than a Chaplain, she stood for hope, for it’s never too late and for anything is possible if she was in your corner. Her passing has left a void that is noticed by so many. Colleagues, partners, professionals, but most importantly those she dedicated her life to helping.

Life will go on but will never be the same. Kirstie’s legacy is that we all strive to be a bit more like her, to continue the amazing work she started, to learn from the lessons she taught us and to continue to support that community with the respect and she instilled in us.

As we continue to work in the sector, we will continue her work, in the future, people who never met Kirstie will benefit from her teachings, her drive and her passions. Lives will continue to be improved because of her, and change will be championed because she wouldn’t have rested until it happened and neither should we. And that’s the definition of ‘one in a million’. Someone who can continue to touch the lives of so many even after she finally found her peace".