"Hi, I’m Emily Branch! I wouldn’t call myself a runner or at least, I didn’t until recently. But after I secured a marathon place with Mencap, everything changed. I’ve now completed my very first half marathon and the London Marathon. I have never done a sponsored event but I am excited to fundraised for such an important charity!"
"My initial plan was a half marathon, but I knew that by doing the ultimate challenge of a marathon, I could raise a lot more money...So here I am" - Emily Branch
"I ran for Mencap because of the life-changing support they’ve given my Auntie, who has a learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. . Since the mid-1980s, Mencap has been there for her and our family in many ways. Whether it’s helping with day-to-day tasks like shopping and cooking healthy meals, or navigating the complexities of financial Financial means anything that is to do with money. It is used to describe how people, businesses, or governments get money and how they use it support and benefits, Mencap’s team has made it possible for her to live a more independent and fulfilling life."
"But it’s not just about practical help. My aunt absolutely adores the time she spends with her Mencap link workers." - Emily Branch.
"This was my first ever sponsored event, and I couldn’t be more proud to completed it for a charity that has done so much for my family. Every mile I ran is a form of giving back for the dedication, compassionate care, and the tireless campaigning Mencap does to improve the lives and rights Rights are the things everyone should be allowed to do like have a say, or go to school. of people with learning disability."
This is an incredible story about Emily and her aunt, who have experienced first-hand how Mencap have made it possible to support people with a learning disability to live an independent life.
Apply for the Great North Run and you could really change someone's life!