Many of you will already know the story of Emily Mackay, but for those of you who don't, we'll set it out for you here.

Emily was one of our students at EKC Broadstairs College back in 2013, when she first enrolled to study Level 3 Professional Cookery. However, just months after beginning her course, Emily was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer known as Osteosarcoma. The rare type of cancer – which she referred to as her ‘designer cancer’ – affects just 150 people across the UK each year; a fact which motivated Emily to begin a blog to highlight it.

After the diagnosis Emily underwent a variety of treatments – including surgery – which pushed the cancer into remission. She was given the all-clear by doctors in July 2014, re-joining the College in September that year.

But, Emily’s battle with cancer was not over, and just months later, she was diagnosed as having a tumour on her lung. She said at the time that she wasn’t surprised at another tumour being found, bravely stating she was ‘just happy to have got this far’. In a heroic move she vowed not to let cancer rule her life, or waste her time, and decided to continue her studies while fighting the illness. Throughout her second round of chemotherapy, Emily courageously continued to study diligently. Following treatment she was told that her pelvic tumour and lung tumour were stable.

But just before Christmas in November 2015, while in London receiving radiotherapy for the tumour in her lung, Emily lost all sensation in her arm. She was rushed to hospital where she was diagnosed with a brain tumour around the size of a walnut. She underwent surgery and the tumour was successfully removed. However over Christmas it returned, and in January she was back in London for another operation to try and remove it. She made it through the operation, and looked to be on the road to recovery. However, in April 2016 was told that she had another tumour in her lungs. In a Facebook post to friends Emily said that there wasn't much treatment left, but said that: "It is what it is and I feel ok about it! I've got so much stuff I want to do and you know what, I'm gonna go and do it!"

Emily finally passed away in the early hours of 21 June 2016. In her own words, she told her family "I really want it to be known that I wasn't defeated by cancer - I gave a bloody good fight, but you can't win every war."

But Emily's proud legacy lives on, with a huge amount of funds raised in her name for the Teenage Cancer Trust over the past decade. And this marathon team is set to add to that total, as part of Emily's memory.

Team Member and East Kent Colleges Group CEO, Graham Razey, said: "I started running because of the courage and bravery shown by one of Broadstairs’ College’s students, Emily Mackay.

"Sadly, Emily lost her battle with cancer but her work as a Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) Ambassador has been carried on in spirit by her teachers and the College community. Running the marathon and raising money for TCT is my way of continuing Emily’s legacy and helping support young people in their fight against this devastating disease.

"I am privileged to be running the marathon in my final year at EKC with some of my most valued colleagues and running buddies."