Horsford: Memorial trek for UEA student Emma Woods, 20

When she was 13 years old, Debbie Woods’ daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome. 

The condition affects one in 2,000 women and is a chromosome abnormality of the X chromosome.   

Emma Woods (Image: Supplied by family)

Miss Woods underwent hormone therapy and, seven years later, needed to have surgery to replace a valve in her heart and aorta resection.  

Tragically, due to complications during the major operation performed at St Bartholemew’s, in London, she died. 

This was in August 2021, and she was aged just 20.  

Some of the group trekking in Emma's memory (Image: Donna-Louise Bishop)

After Emma's death, her family set up a fundraising site and to date has raised more than £23,650 for the charity Turner Syndrome Support Society (UK).   

Since then, Mrs Woods has climbed Ben Nevis with a challenge entitled Trek for Turners. Now she is climbing Scaffell Pike on Saturday, May 13. 

She will be joined once again by friends and colleagues Aggie Grand, Noelle Escayo, Meg Frosdick and Bianca Rudd, who all described Emma as “truly beautiful”.   

Some of the group trekking in memory of Emma (Image: Donna-Louise Bishop)

Mrs Woods, of Horsford, said: “Emma was studying for a degree in photography at the University of East London at the time of her surgery.  

“She loved seeing boy bands and had a zest for life doing everything her own way.” 

Mrs Woods is also part of a team called Triathlon for Turners and will be competing in the Norwich Triathlon on June 25 at Whitlingham. 

She added: “I was 50 this year, so alongside it being in memory of my daughter it is a huge personal challenge.” 

• To track their progress follow @nursestrekforturners on Instagram or like the Facebook page ‘Nurses Trek for Turners’.  
• Visit https://emmawoods.muchloved.com/ to donate.