Lisa Cameron, 53, of Browns Wood is lacing up her running shoes as she takes on three half marathons to raise funds for Milton Keynes charity Emily’s Star.
Emily’s Star provide support, resources and opportunities for babies, children and young adults in Milton Keynes with life-limiting conditions. The charity are raising awareness of Trisomy 18, a condition that affects approximately 3 out of every 10,000 births in the UK.
Trisomy 18 or Edwards syndrome is a rare genetic disorder whereby a person has three copies of chromosome 18 instead of two, often causing severe intellectual and physical disabilities. People born with the condition have a high risk of death before or shortly after birth.
Running enthusiast and Redway Runners group leader Lisa explained: “I met the founder of Emily's Star Katie through my running club about 8 years ago, she told me her story and I’ve supported the charity ever since. Katie’s daughter Emily was born with Trisomy 18. Emily lived for 26 days, a life full of love. Katie and her husband were able to make precious memories, and with support of a team at the hospital were able to bring Emily home to make these memories. Following Emily's death one of Katie's friends gave her the star in Emily's memory and the charity was founded”.
The charity not only provides essential support to families and children, they assist the MK University Hospital children’s ward, supplying toiletries and a snack station free of charge for parents that have unexpected stays in hospital. Also supplied by the charity are 2,3,4 and 5lb charity boxes that include weight appropriate clothing, hats, knitted blankets, and bonding squares, amongst other items that new parents may need in the first few hours.
Emily’s Star and their team of dedicated volunteers supply sanitary products and bedding to the prenatal ward and butterfly suite, for mothers that suffer miscarriages or stillbirths. Furthermore, upon request the charity send smaller versions of the support package to hospitals around the UK. Lisa recalled “My own granddaughter, now 10 benefitted from one of these boxes as she was born early”.
Lisa hosted a charity event on the 1st of November at Walnut Tree playing fields to start fundraising, she has an initial target of £500 which she hopes to surpass. Participants ran, walked or skipped a minimum of half a mile, (a single lap of the field) to support Emily’s Star. The medals for the event have been decorated by the children that attend the Charity’s Tuesday craft club. Each entrant will earn themselves a bespoke medal.
During the epic running challenge Lisa will brave the cold as she participates in the MK Winter Half Marathon in December, take on the London Landmarks Half Marathon after securing a charity place in April and the feat will culminate in the Milton Keynes Half Marathon in May.
Lisa emphasised the importance of her campaign “The funds I raise will enable the charity to continue this amazing work in MK with babies, young people and their families, as well as granting wishes for their registered families, whilst raising awareness of Trisomy 18”.
Lisa has set up a charity JustGiving Campaign: https://www.justgiving.com/page/lisa-cameron-8?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
