By media student Rebecca Greaves

A communication support worker from Garlinge is training for this year’s London Marathon in support of the SENSE charity and has shared an act of kindness for her fundraising that she received from a pupil at Minster Primary School.

Emma Smith, 39, works with a youngster in Year 2 at the school and was delighted to receive a donation from his schoolmate Poppy.

Poppy went to The Rodney pub – with her mum- on Easter Sunday dressed up as a bunny and handed out chocolate to the locals. They decided to give her some money for the chocolate eggs which totalled £25.

However, instead of keeping the money she earned for herself, she very generously decided to donate it to Emma to go towards her fundraising.

Emma said: “I would love for her to be recognised for her selfless act.”

Emma took up her hobby of running during the covid lockdown in 2020 as a way of keeping fit due to all the gyms being closed throughout this time.

Running a Marathon has been on Emma’s bucket list and this is her opportunity to cross it off and complete the London Marathon.

To ensure Emma is ready to complete the 26.2 mile challenge, she has followed a 16-week training plan with her best friend alongside her, running three mornings each week at 6am, and then a long run every Sunday. Emma’s best friend has completed all the training with her, meaning the pair have been running through rain, snow, hail, never letting the weather disrupt their dedication to training.

Emma doesn’t have a specific time she’s aiming to complete the Marathon in, however does feel that under 6 hours would be brilliant.

Her main focus will be to enjoy the day of her very first Marathon after regularly running for years and putting much hard work and commitment into the training.

Emma has a £1,900 fundraising target.

Find her fundraising page by clicking here 

About SENSE

SENSE is a charity supporting everybody who is deafblind or has complex disabilities. They believe everybody should be able to participate in life, no matter their disability.

Their work empowers thousands of people who are deafblind or have complex disabilities to be able to communicate, experience our world and fulfil their potential.

They have almost 70 years of expertise in providing personalised support for people of all ages.

SENSE offers residential care, and virtual support and has a network of centres across the country, they also provide lifelong opportunities for disabled people to be creative and active through holidays, arts, sports and wellbeing programmes.

Learn more at: About us – Sense

The London Marathon

The London Marathon will take place on Sunday 21st April, it takes place annually each April.

The very first London Marathon took place in 1981, with 7,747 participants and it has now become one of the most popular marathons in the world.

Last year’s TCS London Marathon had a total of 58,015 participants.

The London Marathon has grown to be extremely popular due to several things – the marathon is renowned for its community spirit with participants not only focusing on running but also coming together to support good causes, and its entry fee of £69.99 is the lowest fee within the six Major World Marathons. The Marathon brings up to one million spectators lining the streets to show their support for the runners, the influx of people travelling to London to participate or watch the London Marathon has significantly benefited the city’s economy.

The route of the Marathon has remained mostly unchanged since it began in 1981, it includes many of the city’s best landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.

For more information on The London Marathon, you can visit their website at Home – TCS London Marathon – TCS London Marathon

Rebecca is a creative writing and journalism student at Canterbury College currently undertaking work experience with The Isle of Thanet News.