Three sisters nicknamed the ‘Hope Runners’ are in the running for a prestigious charity award.

When Emma Smith, 30, lost her 30-year-old husband Scott to to Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in August 2019, she turned to running with the help of her sisters Charlie and Hannah.

The trio teamed up to run the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon, raising more than £20,000 for the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan.

The race, which was originally set for April, was postponed to October due to the Covid-19 pandemic and eventually took place virtually, meaning the sisters had to train twice.

Devastatingly, Emma was unable to participate due to injury and Hannah had to self-isolate, but Charlie completed the challenge and the sisters plan to run the marathon together in 2023.

They have now been shortlisted for the Group Fundraiser of the Year award at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards 2020, which will take place online on February 11.

Emma, 30, from Yorkshire, said: “We feel so very proud to have been nominated for an Anthony Nolan Supporter Award - as a family we have been through some very darks times and so it means all the more to us to have something positive come from it all.

“Whether we win the award or not, it is the best feeling to know that the funds and awareness we have raised will give so many families the happy ever after that they deserve.”

Scott, a firefighter from Colne, Lancashire, died waiting for a stem cell transplant.

The sisters call themselves the ‘Hope Runners’ as they aim to give hope to other people in similar situations.

Emma, 30, said: “Running has really helped me cope since Scott’s death.”

The prestigious Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards ceremony is usually held at the Tower of London, but this year’s digital celebration instead.

Henny Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “The Hope Runners have shown tremendous commitment to Anthony Nolan by going above and beyond in their fundraising efforts, despite facing many hurdles on their journey.”