Emmy takes on the London Landmarks Half Marathon

Training for a half-marathon isn’t easy. Training for one after recovering from hernia surgery is even harder. Yet Emmy has remained determined, driven by a deeply personal connection to the charity. Emmy’s daughter lives with sickle cell disease, a blood disorder that can cause chronic pain, organ damage, and anaemia. Emmy’s daughter and her family are supported by Roald Dahl Nurses, giving Emmy first-hand experience of the vital care and support a Roald Dahl Nurse can provide. “Running is my way of giving back, to say thank you, to raise awareness of sickle cell disease, and to support a charity that has made such a meaningful difference in our lives,” she explains.  

This weekend, Emmy will take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon in aid of the charity, completing a 13mile route past some of the city’s most iconic sites. Shortly after registering, Emmy underwent hernia surgery, an unexpected set-back to her training. Undeterred by this, Emmy quickly adapted: “It taught me so much about patience, discipline, and taking care of my body in a way I never had before. I’ve learnt the importance of proper warm-ups, cool-downs, and stretching, things I always took for granted but now see as essential for healing and protecting my body, especially my knees.”  Despite these challenges, Emmy describes her training as both joyful and rewarding. “What I’ve enjoyed most is the confidence and determination training has given me, and how it has helped me reconnect with myself,” she explains. Emmy has also enjoyed turning her training into a social activity: “I’ve loved running with other mum friends, fitting it in around life can be a bit of gymnastics, but the catchups and endorphins make it more than worth it!” Alongside a rigorous training plan, Emmy has been working hard to fundraise for the charity: “My approach has been rooted in transparency and connection. I’ve shared my journey openly, the highs, the challenges, and all the moments in between and invited people into the story behind why I’m running.”   So far, Emmy has raised over £1,000, double her original target. These funds will directly support the provision of Roald Dahl Nurses, enabling seriously ill children – like Emmy’s daughter – to receive the specialist care and emotional support they need.  As she enters the final stretch of her training, Emmy is encouraging others to take the leap and sign up for a challenge event for Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity: “The charity brings so much hope, courage, and support to families like mine who are navigating the challenges of their child’s illness. Their work is vital, and they rely on fundraising to keep changing children’s lives in such meaningful ways. I would truly struggle without the support they provide. Every runner helps ensure that more families can receive that same lifeline.”  Support Emmy’s London Landmark Half Marathon fundraiser and help provide more marvellous nurses: https://www.justgiving.com/page/emmanuel-art-1759913759114  Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity is on a mission to make sure every child with complex conditions and their family can benefit from the specialist support of a Roald Dahl Nurse. Inspired to take on a challenge of your own? Get in touch today!