EMMA IS RUNNING IN OAKLEY’S MEMORY
Emma to compete in London Marathon in honour of 15-year-old who was a top runner
A MOTHER-OF-TWO is to take on 26 miles of pavement pounding in October in memory of 15-year-old Oakley Wright, who died from a brain tumour in April last year.
Emma Aberley-barker from Kingsley Holt had always vowed she would complete the London Marathon by the time she was 40 and has applied for a place for the past nine years.
This year, she applied again and was absolutely stunned to win a place for the marathon, which will be held on the streets of the capital on Sunday, October 3.
“My husband Gary saw the email before I did and he rang me to tell me I’d got a place.
“I just thought ‘oh my god I’m actually going to do it!’” she said.
“I will actually be 41 when I do it but it’s close!”
Daughter Aria, 15, who is also a keen runner who competed alongside Oakley, pictured below, in many events was adamant that she should do something for the youngster who died last year after suffering a brain tumour.
Emma, a housing officer for Stokeon-trent City Council, said: “I had known Oakley’s step dad, Mark, for years and our kids used to run together at different events.
“When we found out Oakley had passed away we were all so shocked. It was awful.”
Although, she has always been a runner on and off, competing in her younger days and as an adult using it as a way of keeping fit, Emma took up running seriously to train for a race in Oakley’s memory in Cheadle.
She said: “Years ago I did the Potteries Marathon but I’ve never done anything like it since.
“And it’s hard, it’s really hard. I’m training in all weathers and there are times when I could easily give up but I have to keep going for Oakley.
“Oakley always had a smile on his face and was a fabulous runner. He always supported his fellow team mates and encouraged them to do their best.
“He also had a chuckle at me when I was trying to get from one side of the course to the other, so I know he would be chuckling at me doing a marathon!”
Emma’s training programme has been designed by Kevin Hendricken, and she said she is sticking to it to the letter.
She said she has also had a lot of support from Oakley’s mum and step dad Mark and Jenny, her family and training buddy Rachel, who she said “gets dragged out in all weathers just to keep me going!”
Emma’s original target was £500 which will go to the neurosurgery ward at Alder Hey where Oakley was treated and she has already surpassed that.
“Any donation will be greatly appreciated and will be presented to the Neurosurgery team at Alder Hey Hospital, where Oakley was cared for by the world-renowned head of neurosurgery Conor Mallucci, Parks and oncologist James Hayden,” she said. “They and their teams made every effort to help Oakley and support his family. They are a team committed to saving and improving lives and the care they gave Oakley was outstanding.”
To donate to Emma’s fund, visit www.gofundme. com/f/emmaslondon-marathon-runfor-oakley