Emily's fundraising challenge inspires confidence on and off the pitch

Emily Baker has taken on a monumental fundraising challenge which has helped to bring her out of her shell and play a big part in her community, reflecting the positive impact of sport celebrated through the Together Through Sport campaign.

Through Together Through Sport, a collaboration between the North East's biggest sporting charities and North East Housing Partnership, Foundation of Light are nurturing talent, providing careers pathways, and inspiring physical activity. 

Inspired by Foundation of Light ambassador, Steph Houghton, Emily is running 1km every day to raise money for the Darby Rimmer Foundation. 

The Darby Rimmer Foundation, co-founded by Steph’s husband Stephen Darby, raises funds to offer grants to those with Motor Neurone Disease (MND), as well as creating a network to help provide information and emotional support for those diagnosed with the disease.

Houghton is a huge inspiration to girls across the North East, including Emily, who heard about Stephen’s story of being diagnosed with MND at 29-years-old, and learned more about the devastating illness.

Emily was inspired to help, setting up the challenge to run every day of the year to raise funds for the MND charity.

Emily has demonstrated amazing commitment to the challenge. She often fits her run in before training with the PDC, getting to the training ground early and running several laps of the pitch.

Her advocacy for the charity has brought her out of her shell. Previously quite quiet and reserved outside of her immediate friend group, Emily is now mixing with a lot more of the girls within the PDC sessions.

Emily has become one of the most confident in her PDC group and is progressing well in her football, while also making a big difference off the pitch.

Emily's journey reflects the wider aims of Foundation of Light's Together Through Sport campaign, which is working to break down barriers and create more opportunities for girls to get involved in sport. Through Get Girls Playing Month this June, the Foundation are helping more girls across the North East find their place in sport.