Family will run to remember murder victim Moira Jones

“It’s painful living without her, but Moira’s legacy must live on. She loved life and life loved her. And that’s something that should be celebrated.”

The mother of murder victim Moira Jones says that, six years on, she still hasn’t properly grieved for her daughter.

But Bea Jones, 73, has thrown herself into a new fundraising event to celebrate her daughter’s life in the heart of the park where she was killed.

Moira’s abduction and murder was one of the most brutal Scotland has ever seen but brave Bea hopes to help people forget the horror by hosting Moira’s Run in Queen’s Park.

The retired teacher lives in England but often visits Glasgow, and visits Queen’s Park each time.

“I guess it’s special in a way,” she said. “People ask how I can go there after what happened, but I’m as likely to get upset anywhere else as there.

“And I’m not scared there. It’s not the place that matters. Moira was happy in Glasgow, so I can find some peace there.”

Marek Harcar is currently serving a 25-year jail term for Moira’s murder. But Bea and husband Hu, 75, take little comfort from that. They miss Moira desperately.

“There doesn’t seem any point celebrating unless we can do it as a family,” she said. “And without Moira, our family will never be complete.”

Bea, who was born in Tayport, Fife, runs The Moira Fund almost single-handedly from her home in Staffordshire.

The organisation, which helps people whose relatives were murdered, has raised tens of thousands of pounds, and shows no sign of slowing down.

“I’ll never get over losing Moira, but the Fund goes some way to helping me do something with my life. It keeps a lot of the grief at bay, helps me focus, block things out. But never for very long,” Bea said.

“I’ve learned how to be an events planner. I’ve written to Westminster and met Home Secretaries. I never wanted to be an inactive pensioner and I never will be.

“There’s a fine line between happy and sad memories. I can’t experience one without the other. But I’m hoping Moira’s Run can provide a positive and will be the first of a wonderful annual event.”

Moira’s twin uncles Jock and Ed, 72, are taking on the 5k challenge, as well as her cousin Linzey, 30.

“It will be a real fun day,” Bea said. “It’s painful living without her, but Moira’s legacy must live on. She loved life and life loved her. And that’s something that should be celebrated.”

Moira’s Run is on October 19. The 5k race is open to anyone aged 14 and over. Register at moirasrun.co.uk or see themoirafund.org.uk.