New Malden’s flagship fitness centre has launched its fundraising campaign for 2017/18, to support St George’s Hospital Charity.

The Malden Centre is aiming to bring the community together to raise funds for the charity that brought real benefit to the life of a New Malden woman.

Mum of three young children, Emma Holloway, was diagnosed with Chordoma, a rare and incurable cancer, in November 2015.

Emma, 41, underwent a nine-hour operation at St George’s Hospital, Tooting, to remove most of the tumour that had grown into her spinal cord.

The highly specialised motor evoked potential (MEP) machine used in the operation needed to be loaned to the team to treat her.

MEP monitors impact on the spinal cord during surgery, providing instant feedback to prevent damage to the patient’s nerves.

Emma is now backing an appeal by St George’s to buy one of the devices, which cost around £30,000, for the neurosurgery department.

The first event to launch this year will be the New Malden 5k Fun Run on Saturday, July 1, at 9am.

Registration is free, but there will be refreshments and a cake stall to raise money, and sponsorship is encouraged.

Malden Centre General Manager Nicola Moore says: “We're honoured to be working with Emma and everyone involved with St George’s Hospital Charity and the specific appeal to help fund this vital piece of equipment.

“The Fun Run is just the first of many events taking place over the next 12 months. I’ve no doubt our customers and the entire community will get right behind us as we strive to help Emma, her family and friends work towards their fundraising total.”

Director of fundraising for St George’s Hospital Charity Noel Cramer said: “A huge thanks to the Malden Centre and Emma for their fantastic support of our Neuro Appeal.

“The highly talented medics and nurses at St George’s provide leading care for seriously ill patients and our Appeal aims to help provide more unique and important equipment and facilities that can help our amazing teams help even more patients.”

To support Emma, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/EmmaHolloway-SGHNeuroAppeal.