It is with immense pride and excitement that we share the wonderful news: Emily Mickelborough has been awarded Highly Commended at the BBC Kent Make a Difference Awards 2024 in the fundraising category. This recognition is a demonstration of her relentless dedication and the profound impact her efforts have had in raising awareness for aortic dissection.
Emily’s journey has been one of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment. What began as a personal mission to support her sister Rebecca through the aftermath of a catastrophic aortic dissection has grown into a year-long fundraising challenge that has touched countless lives. Running 12 races in 12 counties over 12 months in the eye-catching costume of Miracle the Unicorn – Emily has captivated the hearts of many, all while spreading the crucial message about this life-threatening condition.
In this recent interview following her nomination, Emily shared her feelings:
“Surprising, but yes, complete shock. And it’s an odd thing because you don’t do these sorts of things for recognition. It helps share Rebecca’s story and it helps put the condition out there in the ether.”
These words perfectly encapsulate Emily’s selfless approach – every step, every mile, and every conversation has been driven by the desire to bring aortic dissection into the public eye and to help in her sister’s rehabilitation.
The story behind Emily’s commitment is deeply personal. Ten years ago, her mother survived an aortic dissection, a condition that at the time was barely understood by the family. The true gravity of the condition hit home when, nearly a decade later, Emily’s sister Rebecca suffered a catastrophic dissection that tore her aorta from her heart down to her legs. Despite surviving, Rebecca faced severe complications.
“She’s a young woman. She’s got young children. She wants to push them on the swings. She wants to take the dog for a walk… This condition has unfortunately caused her to lose all of her toes… she’s learning to walk again.”
Driven by the urgent need to support Rebecca’s recovery and to raise awareness about the condition that has so profoundly affected her family, Emily embarked on her fundraising journey. The challenge, 12 runs, 12 counties, 12 months, is now completed. The grand finale took place in August, with a double-header weekend in Brighton and Gloucestershire.
“My 10-year-old son, has clocked up almost a half marathon in distance, joining me for these runs”
Emily shared, highlighting the incredible support she has received from her family and friends.
The dedication and creativity Emily has shown throughout this campaign have not gone unnoticed. Running in a seven-foot inflatable unicorn costume, she has become a familiar sight at events, drawing attention and starting conversations about aortic dissection wherever she goes.
“The whole purpose of it is that it is attention-seeking for all the right reasons. People see me, they come over and talk to me… I have spoken to thousands of people over the course of this year at events alone.”
This Highly Commended award the #BBCMakeADifference Award is not just an accolade for Emily and her family, but also a powerful platform to continue their advocacy. As she recently expressed on Facebook.
Emily’s fundraising journey has been a beacon of hope for Rebecca and for all those affected by aortic dissection. Her efforts, combined with the support of her family, friends, and the wider community, have been nothing short of inspirational. From raising essential funds for Rebecca’s orthotics and psychological support to educating the public about the dangers of aortic dissection, Emily’s work has indeed made a significant difference.
As we celebrate this award, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to Emily. This recognition is richly deserved, and we are incredibly proud of everything she has achieved. We look forward to supporting Emily as she celebrates the successful completion of her challenge and continues her advocacy journey. Let’s keep this momentum going, and together, we can help ensure that Rebecca’s story – and the stories of so many others – continues to inspire, educate, and bring about real change.
Congratulations Emily, on your well-deserved award!
