Skip to content
Conservationist Emma Whalley is used to travelling long distances.
Every summer the biologist leads three-month student expeditions to Madagascar in the Indian Ocean.
Running long distances did not come quite so easily, though, for Emma until her first marathon in Edinburgh.
Her efforts were in memory of grandad Tom Whalley who was cared for by East Cheshire Hospice.
Emma Whalley running in memory of her grandad.
Tom, a Cheshire dairy farmer, died last December, aged 84, and received support from the charity’s Hospice @Home team.
Emma said: “The Hospice did an incredible job, making it possible for grandad to keep his wish to stay at home rather than go into hospital.
“The nurses checked on him every day and made sure my gran was okay.
“I signed up for the run before he passed away and wasn’t sure who to fundraise for because there’s so many incredible charities out there.
“But once the Hospice got involved, supporting him for those last few months, it was an absolute no-brainer who I wanted to fundraise for.
“That spurred me to raise £1,410. I grew up on a dairy farm and have fond memories of being outdoors and very active. My grandparents were an inspiration.
“A marathon was on my bucket list and now I’ve got the buzz I’d like to do another one.
“I return to Madagascar next June for another field project. The island is a biologists’ and nature lovers’ paradise with its rare wildlife and different species, most of which aren’t found anywhere else.