Eastleigh mum to run London Marathon for Rainbow Trust

Emily Ball from Eastleigh will be lacing up her trainers on October 2 to raise funds for Rainbow Trust Children’s charity.

She has been supported by the charity since her four-year-old daughter Martha Moynihan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia last November.

Now she hopes to return the favour by raising £5,000.

'A strong start'

The 40-year-old said: “I decided to take on this running challenge to help Rainbow Trust continue helping families like mine with a seriously ill child.

Martha Moynihan with her mum Emily Ball

“I don’t think I could get through this situation without its help.

“I want to give back as I don’t think I could function without their help.

“It’s the little things and the small windows of time they give me that are important. They are the things you lose out on when you are looking after a seriously ill child.

Emily, who owns Active Step Foot and Ankle Clinic in Whiteley, added: "I’d be very grateful for any support people can give in sponsoring me to run the London Marathon.

“I’d love to hit my ambitious target of £5,000. I raised £1,000 in three days so we’ve had a strong start.”

'It's challenging' 

Emily has two other children Clara, six, and Charlie, 17, and has relied on support from Rainbow Trust to help with the pressures of looking after Martha on top of their busy family life.

Her family support worker, Cindy Steele-Jones, helps her with school collections and getting Martha's sister to dance lessons.

Cindy also provides emotional support to the family and offers respite so that Emily can attend personal appointments.

Emily will be running with her partner Paul Kinkaid and her friend and colleague Alice Forward.

However, training for the marathon is no mean feat.

Emily said: “It’s challenging as we are having to go out running when we don’t want to, such as during the heat of the day, which is really hard work.

“It all depends on Martha. We don’t get to choose when we run and it’s really hard.

“But my 17-year-old son babysits and my partner Paul takes turns with me to train.”

Emily will be one of 68 runners in the Rainbow Trust London Marathon team, raising money and awareness for the charity.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/EMILY-BALL12.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News