A run to thank my dad's carers

Thousands will take to the streets of Sheffield next week in the Yorkshire Half Marathon to raise money for charity. Catherine Scott reports.

When the runners take to the streets of Sheffield for the Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon they will all have their own very good reasons.

For Emma Sheehan, 23, from Crosspool, Sheffield, it will be the memory of her beloved dad who died in February at Weston Park Hospital.

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Emma signed up in 2015 for the 13-mile race on April 10 to raise funds for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity, unaware that her dad would no longer be here by then.

After being diagnosed with bowel and peritoneal cancer in June 2015, Emma’s dad, Dave Sheehan, 56, received radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment at Weston Park – the region’s only cancer hospital. But after several infections and stays in hospital over the last few months, Emma’s family were given the devastating news that there was nothing more that could be done for Dave and he passed away at the end of February surrounded by his loving family.

“It’s been an incredibly difficult few months,” says Emma. “We are all still coming to terms with the loss of my dad and the huge void he has left, particularly for me, my mum and my elder sister, Aimee.

“Back in June 2015 when he was first diagnosed, I knew that I had to do something to raise money in support of this incredible hospital that had looked after us all so well. I signed up for The Plusnet Half Marathon and vowed to raise money for the place which had extended dad’s life so that we were able to spend those precious final months with him. I know he’d have been so proud of me on the day when I reach the finish line and the more money I can raise beforehand will allow other families living with a cancer diagnosis to receive the support and care they so desperately need.

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“I not only fully appreciate the research that helps treat so many patients, but the support for my dad by the nurses at Weston Park Hospital was priceless – sometimes no words can offer comfort like the gesture of a cuppa and biscuit!”

Emma will join thousands of people taking part in the first Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon-Sheffield, which starts and finishes in the city centre and follows a scenic route offering outstanding views of the Peak district. To join Team Weston Park visit wphcancercharity.org.uk

To support Emma’s fundraising visit her JustGiving page at: https://www.justgiving.com/emmabsheehan/

A major event in the UK’s running calendar, the Plusnet Yorkshire Half Marathon-Sheffield which in 2016 takes place on Sunday April 10 at 9.30am – attracts thousands of runners of all abilities and spectators to the city’s streets and raises many thousands of pounds for good causes. With a city centre start and finish.

For more information visit www.runforall.com/half-marathon/yorkshire/