Running in my uncle James’ memory

Emma Taylor ran the Cheshire Half Marathon for MS-UK for a very special person

My uncle James Walker sadly passed nearly a year ago. He had been diagnosed in his 20s and passed away age 52.

He was doing great. He had become a little unsteady on his legs, however he never complained and was always up for a joke, and he had an infectious laugh that still rings in everyone’s ears.

Sadly, he was on his holidays in Greece with his partner and friends, and the day before he was due to fly home he passed away suddenly.

This shattered the family. But I decided to do some running in his memory. I thought he must have been in pain every day, but he just got on with it, so that’s what I did. I trained to run a bit further each time.

I signed up to do the Cheshire Half Marathon to raise some funds for MS-UK. I was a little nervous and, with just three weeks until the race, I put up a go fund me page to run in honour of my uncle.

I put a little money tin in my salon at Taylor Made Beauty. I have clients who have MS or that have family members that have MS, so they were really generous with donations as they understand what an important charity it is.

On the day of the half marathon, I took my Grandma with me (who is my uncle James’ Mum), my husband and my daughter. I thought, I really want to run the whole way, but if I had to crawl, cry, skip or walk to the finish line then I would!

I was so pleased with myself for running all the way without walking or stopping – I feared if I stopped running at any point, I may not be able to get to the finish line!

When I did cross the line, I cried. I was so pleased to have raised so much to try and help other people living with MS and their families.

Would you like to take a fundraising challenge? Whether it’s a sky dive, a walk, a cycle, swim, or completely your own idea, find out more here!