The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity raises money solely to support The Royal Marsden, a world-leading cancer centre. We ensure our nurses, doctors and research teams can provide the very best care and develop life-saving treatments, which are used across the UK and around the world. From funding state-of-the-art equipment and groundbreaking research, to creating the very best patient environments, we will never stop looking for ways to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

You never think it will be you this horrendous disease affects....In March 2016 my world was torn apart with the news that my beautiful sister and best friend Emmy had cancer. She was diagnosed with advanced Medullary Thyroid Cancer, and was told that it had spread significantly throughout her body. Thank fully she was under the Royal Marsden Hospital who gave her the most phenomenal care you could possibly imagine. Not only is it a centre of excellence, but the staff that work there really are angels and they all became so special to Emmy and to all of us.

Throughout her illness Emmy was beyond incredible. In fact I could never find enough words or sufficient words to describe how brave, positive and unbelievably inspiring she was in the face of such adversity. The things she endured are quite unimaginable....but she did it with pure grace, beauty and the most stunning smile, all the while passionately raising cancer awareness and significant funds for the hospital. In fact she cycled across Europe whilst on chemo feeling horrendous to raise money! She spent her time selflessly trying to help others, and putting the world before her needs, no matter how awful she was feeling or what she was going through. 

In June 2017 our incredible girl passed away, still showing unthinkable courage and strength right up until her final moments. I really could never express just how special and how wonderful she was, or quite how proud I am of her and all that she was. She left behind a legacy that grows with each day- to Smile, Love and Be Kind. She's taught me so much, and shown me how to appreciate each day and strive to be a better person- be more Emmy.

This year I wanted to do a little something to celebrate her. She couldn't have supported me more in my running adventures over the years, so I felt a run was the most fitting way to have time to think about my girl and also hopefully top up her charity fund. She raised so much for the Marsden hospital and meant so much to all the staff there that there is "The Emmy Coates Research Fund'- all donations go towards research and care for head and neck cancer, a cause so close to her heart and to ours.

Emmy was the most beautiful, kind, caring, funny, incredible, inspiring, selfless and courageous person I could ever imagine. I feel so lucky to be able to call her my sister. She was my hero, my ray of sunshine and the love of my life the minute she entered my world. I would be so grateful to anyone who may have a few spare pennies they can put towards my fundraising efforts, so that we can continue to keep her funds rising and carry on her mission to raise money and awareness.

My girl, you never leave my thoughts, love you more always xx