A woman from Suffolk is raising awareness for Spinal Injuries at the London Marathon
She has been fundraising for them ever since she saw an accident whilst lifeguarding.
Among thousands of others taking on the London Marathon today is a woman from Kesgrave in Suffolk raising money and awareness for spinal injuries.
Emma Jarvis 25 from Kesgrave is running for the national charity Aspire which provides help to people who have been paralysed by Spinal Cord Injury.
"Approximately 2,500 people sustain a spinal cord injury in the UK each year."
According to the charity, people with this injury will "lose muscle and sensory control and a large majority will become full-time wheelchair users for the rest of their lives."
They also note that the majority of spinal injuries occur to those "aged 21 to 30, with nearly three-quarters of new spinal cord injury patients being male."
But Spinal Cord Injury is "increasingly affecting older people now too."
"People's lives completely change."
Emma told us that she started fundraising for Aspire after witnessing an accident whilst working as a lifeguard where someone ended up with a spinal injury.
She told us she saw the "aftermath" of the accident as she was the "first point of call" which was an "eye opening" experience for her.
Whilst working as a lifeguard and swim teacher, she taught those with physical disabilities and found the water helped with their mobility, which is one of the things the charity does to help people.
Emma has also swam across the Lake District in two days to raise money for them as well as swimming the length of the Channel in a swimming pool and more.
With all of this and her target of £2000 for the London Marathon, she would have raised over £4000 for Aspire.
"Helping them to live independently"
Emma told us that the money she raises will go towards things like "technologically assisted support." This includes things like adapted wheelchairs which can help with communication.
As well as adaptations to people's homes, such as a stair lift, or lowering sinks and other adjustments to make their lives easier.
The charity also helps people with therapy and mental support.
" I'm more excited for it than I am nervous"
After months of training, Emma said she is ready to take on the 26 miles and is hoping to complete it in 4 - 4.5 hours with the crowd carrying her through.
She has around 20 people coming to support her, and has asked them to be as spread out as possible so she can "maximise people throwing me Jelly babies."
Emma's sister Tash, is also running the London Marathon but they will not be running together as there is "too much family competitiveness between us."
" I'll make sure I see her at the end - that'll probably be quite an emotional meeting.
" I imagine she's probably the first person that I will see if we're finishing around about the same time, but hopefully with me a little bit faster."