In 2018, mother-daughter team Emma and Marie joined a group of trekkers in the Camino for a Cure trek through Spain, raising over $20,000 for Parkinson’s research and embarking on the trip of a lifetime. Now, Emma is returning to another fundraising challenge, taking on the Sydney Marathon to further support Shake It Up. This time, she’s on a mission to raise $5000 for Parkinson’s research! And with over $4,200 raised so far, she’s not far from her goal, currently the top fundraiser for Shake It Up in the event. We spoke with Emma about her inspiration to continue making a difference for people living with Parkinson’s, and her upcoming marathon.
Hi Emma! Is this the first marathon you’ve completed?
Yes, this is my first marathon! I have never considered myself to be a “runner”… until now.
How is your training for the race going?
The training is a lot! It’s become quite all consuming! Mostly, I love it and I have been really enjoying seeing myself improve. Although the long runs are challenging, I’m really proud of myself. It’s crazy to realise what I’m capable of doing if I put my mind to it.
What drives your commitment to fundraise for Parkinson’s?
My mum, Marie, has Parkinson’s, and having her inspire me to keep going despite how tough things might be, has always been a driving force in my desire to fundraise for Parkinson’s. Throughout my fundraising events, I have seen how much awareness we brought to the cause within our local community and how much support we gained. Also, throughout this marathon training, knowing that I’m fundraising for such a good cause is the motivation that keeps me going on the days when I just don’t feel like it!
Why did you choose to raise funds for Shake It Up Australia?
Mum and I did our first fundraising event with Shake it Up in 2018 when we walked the last section of Camino de Santiago together. It had always been a dream of Mum’s, so when Shake it Up were doing it, the stars aligned and it turned out to be one of the best experiences of our lives. The two of us alone raised over $20,000 and we met amazing people and had the best time. I chose to complete another fundraising event as I felt it had been too long since my last. Shake it Up are always at the forefront of the research and with so many advancements being made, I wanted to do something ASAP.
It’s been amazing knowing that every dollar we donate goes straight to finding a cure – it’s very rewarding to know we are making a difference.
What is your advice for others hoping to make a difference for Parkinson’s?
Every little bit counts. You don’t have to run a marathon, you don’t have to do anything crazy. Just put yourself out there, and I think you’ll be surprised with how much people are willing to support you!
You can listen to Emma’s conversation with Amy Ruffle on The Shake It Up Show here, or support her Sydney Marathon fundraising endeavor by clicking here.
