Student injured in skiing accident determined to complete Cardiff Half Marathon in aid of NSPCC

• Finish line in sight for ambitious Emily despite injury set-back
• University student’s half marathon goal spurring her through rehabilitation
• Still time to secure sold-out half marathon place with NSPCC

A Cardiff University student who feared she wouldn’t be able to run the city’s popular half marathon after being injured in a skiing accident says she is determined to make it across the finish line.

Emily Yap, 20, suffered a serious injury to her knee in a freak accident during a trip to Tignes in France, two days after signing up for the popular event in aid of NSPCC Cymru / Wales.

Recalling the incident, Emily says: “My ski got stuck in the snow, but my body kept going and my ski didn’t release my leg.

“I was in immediate pain and because I had heard a popping sound I was pretty sure I’d badly injured it. I was hoping it wouldn’t be too bad and that I’d still be able to ski the next day, but when I realised I couldn’t stand up or walk on it I knew it wasn’t going to mend quickly.”

The first year Mechanical Engineering student had to be rescued from the slope and was taken to a medical centre in Val d’Isere, before returning home for surgery.

Emily had suffered a complete tear of her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) – the main stabilising ligament in her left knee, ending the keen hockey player’s season.

She added: “When they told me in the hospital that I had fully ruptured the ACL and would likely need surgery I started crying – this was the first time I cried.

“I am a very active person and struggle when I’m not able to do sports. So really, my first thoughts were on how I’d be able to cope by not doing the sports and activities I love.”

Despite the long rehabilitation path ahead of her, Emily has started taking up activities and hobbies she never thought she would, and is convinced it won’t write off her childhood ambition to tackle the 13-mile route.

She says: “I’d always wanted to run the Cardiff Half Marathon and so I signed up before Christmas.

“When I suffered my injury two days later my immediate reaction was that I wouldn’t be able to do it.

“Now, I’m using the event as my end goal to the rehabilitation I’m going through.

“It doesn’t matter to me if I run the whole way or hobble and walk as long as I make it over the finish line!”

NSPCC Cymru / Wales is the Lead Charity Partner for the Cardiff Half Marathon, which takes place on Sunday 4 October.

With nine months to go until race day, Emily has started physio and there is a 50% chance that she will require reconstructive surgery.

Emily added: “The hardest part of this has been to admit that I’m going to have to slow down for a little and fully commit to the rehabilitation process.

“I have a goal, which will not only challenge me mentally and physically but also help the lives of any child who may need the services of the NSPCC.

“Growing up I had several friends who didn’t know that Childline existed and are no longer here. I want to make a difference, by raising awareness of how the NSPCC can help children and young people, and I’m fundraising to help with that.”

The charity has Childline bases in Cardiff and Prestatyn, sites which along with Swansea, offer direct services to children, young people, and their families in Wales.

Its Schools Service team also offer free ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ assemblies and workshops to all primary schools nation-wide.

Wales Appeal Board Manager for NSPCC Cymru / Wales, Emma Brennan says: “Without determined fundraisers like Emily we simply wouldn’t be able to fund the important work we do to help protect children in Wales from harm.

“We are wishing Emily all the best with her rehabilitation; she’s clearly got a great strength of character, and we’re delighted that she has chosen to be part of #TeamNSPCC.”

Growing up, Emily competed at a national level in swimming, and now represents her university at hockey.

It was during a gap year volunteering with a charity that Emily decided she wanted to raise money for children who may be having a difficult time.

It’s the 3^rd year that the NSPCC has been the Lead Charity Partner for the Cardiff Half Marathon, organised by Run 4 Wales, and last year more than £140,000 was raised for the children’s charity.

The nation’s largest mass-participation event sold-out in January, but the NSPCC still has places available.

Emma added: “Although the race isn’t until October, time is running out to bag one of our last-minute half marathon entries.

“Our #TeamNSPCC runners are a passionate group of people, and if you want to join them, have fun, and raise money to help children when they need it most, you can dust off your trainers and sign up.”

For more information about how to register for a half marathon place, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/2020cardiff.

To follow Emily’s progress, visit her Just Giving page.