Church provides boost for marathon runner

Proceeds from three Lent Lunches at St Laurence’s Church, Surfleet, have been donated to Teenage Cancer Trust.

Rev David Sweeting presented a cheque for £386.40 to Emma Wilson, who recently ran the London Marathon to raise money for the charity that provided support for her sister, Louise, who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at 19 years old.

Emma, who has family in Surfleet, said church warden and family friend Annette Rhodes helped set up the donations.

“Annette knew about me taking part in the London Marathon and understood how important the charity is to our family because Teenage Cancer Trust provided invaluable care to Louise.

“Douglas, another church warden has also known my family for many years and the residents of Surfleet knew about Louise’s battle with cancer and often asked my grandparents how she was getting on with treatment.

“A lot of St Lawrence’s congregation prayed for Lou, even those that didn’t know her.”

Emma said she was moved by the support. “I was absolutely overwhelmed by how much St Lawrence’s church raised from their Lent Lunches! To donate this to a charity so close to our families hearts is absolutely wonderful and I can’t express how much it means to us.”

Emma continued: “At the moment around seven young people are diagnosed with cancer every day but unfortunately Teenage Cancer Trust can only reach 50 per cent of them. This is why I desperately wanted to raise a large sum of money for this charity so that every young person can receive the outstanding care my Lou did,” she said.

Emma has so far raised more than £7,000.

To donate, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/
emma.wilson