Emma McHale, 29, will be taking on her first London Marathon and her first ever marathon on 28th April 2019, to raise funds for the MS Society, in memory of her mother. In February 2018, loving mother, dedicated teacher and devoted voluntary swimming teacher Sheila McHale, of Bircotes, passed away of complications related to Multiple Sclerosis.
Since then, her daughter Emma has used running to deal with her loss. Sheila McHale was always committed to her local community. Sheila volunteered for almost a decade at the Bircotes Penguins Swimming Club and taught at several local primary schools. The cruel disease slowly took away Sheila’s ability to do what she loved from teaching and reading to even walking before she passed away.
There are currently 100,000 people diagnosed with MS in the UK. Multiple Sclerosis is a condition that can affect the brain and/or the spinal cord. MS symptoms can include fatigue, vision problems, mobility problems, muscle spasms, bladder problems, bowel problems, numbness and tingling as well as speech and swallowing difficulties. There is currently no cure for MS. It is a lifelong condition that can cause serious disability. The MS Society funds ground-breaking research into treatment and causes. The MS Society is fighting for better treatment and care. The charity also provides helplines, support groups, home adaptation grants and carer grants, which are vital.
If you would like to donate to the MS Society, please visit Emma’s JustGiving page, www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emma-mchale-london-marathon.