A mum of two from Spalding is to run the London Marathon as a thank you to the charity she says helped her younger sister enjoy three extra years of life after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Emma Wilson (29) is looking to raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of Louise Miers (nee Flowers) who passed away aged 25 in April.
Lou, who was known as Scooby to her family due to an impression she did of the cartoon dog, was given just six months to live when diagnosed with a brain tumour that had spread to her spine in January 2014.
The shock diagnosis came just days after Lou awoke on New Year’s Day with vision and speech problems.
Emma believes the treatment Lou received at the Teenage Cancer Unit at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre and subsequent after-care helped give the Spalding family three more years together and allow Lou to marry her partner Lee in January this year.
Emma said: “I’ve wanted to run the marathon for a long time and when I saw the Teenage Cancer Trust were going to be one of the main charities for this year’s race, I felt it was a sign that the time’s right to do it.
“The support Lou received from them was absolutely phenomenal.
“I didn’t realise the extent of the support they provide and they’re still supportive to our family now.
“The doctors had given Lou six months to live but she had almost another three years and without the Trust I don’t think she would have had that.
“My kids Oliver (4) and Bethan (3) recognise the charity as “Aunty Scooby’s charity” from what they did.
“Lou was a huge music fan and had a number of tickets to see gigs we couldn’t go to after she had passed away which we gave to the charity and they were so thankful of such a small gesture.
“I just wanted to give something back to them.”
Emma, who works for Moore Thompson accountants, is looking to raise over £2,000 for the charity running under the “Team Legend” banner.
On her training Emma laughs: “It could be going better. I did a little bit last year to get a bit fitter, but I really haven’t done much.
“It’s going to be a challenge but that’s the whole point.
“I know Lou would be supporting me and proud of me for doing something to help others like her.”
To donate visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Emma.Wilson
