Runners return to honour Moira Jones murdered in Glasgow park

The mother of murder victim Moira Jones has paid tribute to her “beautiful and bright” daughter at the tenth anniversary charity run set up in her name.

Bea Jones, her husband Hu and son Grant started Moira’s Run after Miss Jones, 40, was beaten to death after being abducted just yards from her Glasgow home in May 2008.

The sales executive’s killer, Marek Harcar, was later jailed for life.

Since its launch, the Moira Fund has helped nearly 5000 people in the UK bereaved through violence.

“She was my best mate, she was my beautiful daughter,” said Bea Jones.

“She was very very sociable. She was bright, thoughtful, kind. It didn’t matter what she did, she did it to the best of her ability. She loved Glasgow and she loved the Glasgow people and their warmth and humour.”

Around 500 runners took part in the 5k run through Queen’s Park on Sunday to raise money for The Moira Fund.

Grants from the charity can cover everything from funeral costs to clothes for attending court.

This year some of the families who have benefitted from the charity’s support also took part.

“We’ve been doing this run since 2019 now,” said Angela. “My son Gary was murdered in 2018 so we like to try and support it…it’s quite comforting, doing the run and knowing there are a lot of people in the same position as us.

“Although it’s hard, we know it’s important to take part.”

The family of Moira Jones also successfully campaigned for the launch of a Scottish Homicide Service which provides murder victims’ families with a dedicated case worker.

“We have a specialist team that was campaigned for by the Moira Fund to support families bereaved by murder and culpable homicide in Scotland,” said Kate Wallace, Chief Executive Victim Support Scotland.

“Any one single murder in this context is too much but we try and make sure that people are provided with support and information in a situation which they are absolutely unprepared for and devastated by.”

For more information on the work of the Moira Fund or to seek support you can visit the Moira Fund website.