Follow the plan! Emma’s hopes for a London Marathon achievement

Emma before setting off on a long run

After trying to enter the London Marathon for the previous 17 years Emma, who is head of quality and experience at Wirral Community NHS Health and Care Foundation Trust, was intrigued when she received a ‘mysterious’ call from our community fundraiser, Hayley, while on holiday in Corfu.

Once Hayley had made contact, Emma was delighted to hear she was one of four people who the hospice had chosen to run the 2026 event on Sunday, 26^th April.

Once the celebratory ouzo’s had worn off it wasn’t to be too much longer before Emma’s mind turned to fitness preparation and fundraising.

She had filled in an application to the hospice and told us if she was successful that she would be raising funds in memory of family friend, Vicky Cowan. They had been at school together, although Vicky was a year younger, so when their daughters became best friends (Molly is Emma’s daughter and Ella is Vicky’s) they became good friends too.

Emma told us why she chose the hospice as her charity,

“Vicky was very sporty, being a coach at Wirral Athletics Club based at Bebington Oval.

Molly and Emma before their own marathon challenge

She lived life to the full and her passing had inspired daughter, Ella and best friend, Molly to run 24 miles in 24 hours for Macmillan.

My nan, Rita, had received hospice care some twenty years ago and Vicky’s family, including Ella, were also immensely appreciative of the care she received through Hospice at Home and on the inpatients ward of Wirral Hospice St John’s.

Vicky. Much loved and missed.

It’s a much-loved part of our Wirral community, providing a wonderful service at the most challenging time of people’s lives, provided by really special people.

It’s a place full of compassion and love and I’m so privileged to represent them, while also raising funds towards its specialist care and support.”

Thank You, Emma!

Emma has completed one marathon before, in Liverpool, but it was thirteen years ago and although a keen runner to stay fit anyway, the call to say she was doing 26 miles at London ’26, has spurred her on to even more effort.

There’s a number of marathon training plans that the organisers put together so Emma embarked on their ‘Improver’ regime.

It’s a 16 week plan (insert link) which starts, it seems, easily enough on day one, ’20 minute easy run’.

Refreshing coffee for Emma post run

However, a glance through the whole schedule sees certain days, week six for example one run is described as ‘1 hour and 45 minutes, easy run (or distance goal of 10 miles)’ then, by week thirteen, ‘3 hours and 30 min EASY run (20/22 miles)’.

Easy. Not!

So, you might see Emma, or have seen her and her husband, jogging around various Wirral trails, West Kirby, Heswall, Wirral Way, Parkgate and others getting ready for the big one on Sunday 26^th April.

And, as you do, they like to pick a run on the weekend that sees them finish at her mum and dad’s for a refreshing drink and a bacon butty.

Delicious and well deserved, Emma. The best wishes of everyone at Wirral Hospice are with you and we know you will do Vicky, and Ella, and all of your families very proud!

*Since this article was first written and Emma entered the marathon, there has been some more really sad news. Emma’s friend and colleague, Karen, was diagnosed with cancer in January 2026 and passed away in early April. Karen was a much-loved colleague and friend to many people at Wirral Community Trust and she will be greatly missed. Karen passed away peacefully at the hospice surrounded by her family. It will be an honour for Emma to run the marathon in memory of both Karen and Vicky, very special people who will never be forgotten.

Emma, friends and family, held a fantastic race night in November which raised £4,300 in its own right for the hospice and has been added to her running total (now nearly £6,000 – brilliant work) at her Just Giving page.

If you’d like to support Emma’s marathon effort with a kind donation please visit   www.justgiving.com/page/emma-carvell Emma and the hospice would be extremely grateful.