Emma completes walking challenge in memory of friend
A woman who set herself a walking challenge to raise money for the children’s hospice who cared for her schoolfriend has smashed her fundraising target.
Emma, 20, who suffers with chronic fatigue, walked the 13 miles from her home at Emerson’s Green, Bristol to Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) in Wraxall. Emma, who has Myalagic Encephalomyelitis, broke up the journey into seven sections over 2024, completing the final mile this September.
She was cheered into Charlton Farm as she completed the final mile of her challenge with mum Philippa.
Emma was inspired to embark on the fundraising challenge for CHSW in memory of her schoolfriend Jack who was cared for at Charlton Farm. Jack, who had Ewing Sarcoma, was supported by CHSW for a number of years before he died in 2014 aged just 11-years-old.
Emma said: “Jack was just lovely. He was fun and bubbly and nothing ever phased him. He just got on with life and was a good friend.”
Emma used her rollator walking aid on her walks, which she decorated in bunting along with a special ‘Emma’s walk’ pendant cross stitched by her mum.
Initially Emma set out just to raise a couple of hundred pounds. But she smashed that target, raising an incredible £1661. Emma has already taken part in fundraisers for the hospice - including its annual Santas on the Run. She also organised a bake sale at her home.
“The hospice was so wonderful with Jack and his family,” said Emma.
Every penny I raise will help to ensure that the services it offers continue to be available to other families in need. I've been overwhelmed by the amount of support and donations that I have received from everyone. I never really expected to get £100 let alone £1,661 which is an amazing total. It's been hard work at times, but the end goal has kept me going and the welcome we had when we got to Charlton Farm was amazing and very emotional.
CHSW Area Fundraiser Amanda said: “I have followed Emma all through her incredible challenge in Jack’s memory.“She has shown great determination to complete the task and her fundraising and awareness raising of The Children’s Hospice South West has been a triumph.”
“Emma has raised a huge amount of money for the charity and a figure like that will go a very long way to helping local families, for example it could fund a Christmas family stay at Charlton Farm and create special memories or fund 24-hour specialist medical care for a child or young person with very complex needs to enable their parents to find time to rest and recharge.”
If you have been inspired by Emma’s story and would like to fundraise or volunteer to help local families please contact Charlton Farm on 01275 866600 or email Amanda who would be delighted to provide more information.