Emma runs half-marathon for dad and Pancare
A YOUNG Gladstone Park woman has tackled a half-marathon for charity, in honour of the father she lost to cancer.
Emma Heard, 27, participated in the Melbourne Marathon Festival in October.
Last year, her dad Greg died just eight weeks after he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.
Greg also left behind his wife and his two other children, 25-year-old Matthew and Sarah, 29.
“Losing dad left a massive hole in our family,” Ms Heard said. “Dad was very interested and involved in our lives and it has been extremely difficult without him.”
Ms Heard ran more than 21km to fundraise for the Pancare Foundation, a national organisation which provides support, information and funds for pancreatic cancer research.
On the day of the marathon, Ms Heard was accompanied by a team of 36 other people, including her mother and Matthew.
The group dubbed themselves “Roxy’s Army”, which was the name Greg always used when he rang the SEN radio station to discuss sport.
Ms Heard said what she enjoyed most about the Melbourne Marathon was “achieving something amazing in honour of my Dad”.
“It was definitely challenging, but it was my dad that got me through to the end, and the fact that I had an amazing support network of family,” she said.
Roxy’s Army has raised $4148 for Pancare so far.
“My family and I are very appreciative of everyone’s support and their generous donations,” Ms Heard said.
CLICK HERE to donate towards Emma’s initiative.