Long-time British science fiction fan, Dr. Emma J. King, is currently raising funds for cancer research by carrying out a month of sponsored pull-ups. Many fans will know of her presentation on matters related to space science at Novacons, Eastercons and Worldcons, as well as her involvement with FunCon.

Emma is taking on the 310 Pull-Ups Challenge during August to raise £1085 for Cancer Research UK — that’s £3.50 per pull-up!  

Emma’s dad, Arthur, is 90 years old and has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Arthur is also a fan and introduced Emma to, and shared his interest in Science Fiction with her from a young age, and is a friend as much as a father to her. She has many fond memories of watching Doctor Who, Star Wars and other classics with him as a child. He is also an avid reader and lifelong learner, and has enjoyed Asimov, HG Wells, Vonnegut and others.

As many fans at this year’s Eastercon will know, Emma is an accomplished aerialist, and has recently combined this with her love of science into a Science Circus project to excite school children about STEM subjects and science fiction through the medium of circus arts, which had a debut at Irridescence. 

Emma’s passion for aerial circus arts is part of the reason for her undertaking this arduous challenge. Emma started training at the Flying Fantastic Aerial gym in London just over 4 years ago in her mid-40s, and says it has changed her life. She got her first ever pull-up soon after and is now putting that strength to good use to raise some much needed money for cancer research, raising over £500 so far!

Arthur has always been an active man. Last year at the age of 90, with Emma’s encouragement, he joined a local gym and started strength training, which he enjoyed doing with her, and was gaining strength until Christmas. Sadly he was diagnosed with terminal cancer at the beginning of this year, but has been aiming to stay active, continuing his favourite hobby of golf until very recently. For Arthur, sadly there is no suitable treatment available, but as ever positive together, Father and Daughter are focusing on making the most of the time they have left together. By raising funds for cancer research, Emma hopes to help change that for others in the future.

You can follow Emma’s progress on Instagram.com.

Fans interested in supporting Emma can do so by sponsoring a pull-up for £3.50 here: Phoenix Giving Page at Cancerresearchuk.