By Francesca Wallace
- Enter here: The Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon
Ella Brown is one resilient 19-year-old. After losing her mother to cancer during her final year of high school, Ms Brown soldiered on, packed up and moved from her home town in New Zealand to Sydney where she is now in her second year of a commerce degree.
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Ms Brown is now honouring her mum as she trains for The Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon.
Ella Brown will honour her mother at the Sydney Morning Herald Half MarathonCredit: James Alcock
"It's kind of like I'm running with her. Mum had a go-getting attitude, she was curious, she didn't judge anyone ... she was just really loveable. A really good mum," she said.
And it's her go-getting attitude Ms Brown will honour during the half marathon on the 15th of May, as she teams up with Can Too to raise money for cancer research.
"It's more than just doing the half marathon. It's about getting out there and doing something I wouldn't usually do," she said of her Can Too team of 15 people, of which she is the youngest.
After already smashing her goal of $1250, Ms Brown is hopeful donors will keep giving generously.
"It's more than a charity we are raising money for ... the Can Too people are really understanding. It's a great charity," she said.
The team trains twice a week, a combination of exercises and practice runs, with the team completing 18 kilometres every Saturday, a feat for someone who has never run a marathon.
"I never thought I would be doing 18 kilometres, let alone 21!"
Ms Brown never expected the outpouring of support for both the half marathon and the death of her mother, as people from all over her community in Wellington and now in Sydney came together to support her and her family.
"The support of my sisters and dad was great ... we've all come together and are closer than ever. Grieving brings people together and the support you receive from the people you least expect is really good," she said.
Anyone can donate to Ms Brown and Can Too, via the Can Too website: cantoo.org.au
The Sydney Morning Herald Half Marathon is on May 15th.