Mum of pioneering Seb set for marathon to aid Mencap
Bath resident Caroline White is taking on the London Marathon for the learning disability charity Mencap despite Covid-19.
Caroline, whose son Seb became the first child with Down’s syndrome to model for a major UK advertising campaign, is chair of Bath Mencap. She refuses to let Covid-19 stop her from running the 26.2 miles challenge to help change attitudes towards people with a learning disability like her son.
Instead of hitting the streets of the capital, Caroline will be recreating the London Marathon along the Cotswold Way to her home city of Bath as part of this year’s special 40th Race on Sunday (October 4).
Seb, now 12, made history in 2012 by becoming the first child with Down’s syndrome to model in a major UK advertising campaign. Since then he has modelled for numerous advertising campaigns and paved the way for other models with a learning disability too.
Caroline will be running for Mencap, the official charity of the London Marathon and is one of 312 Mencap runners – including 10 with a learning disability – taking on a virtual 26.2 miles challenge.
Every penny raised by Caroline will help support people with a learning disability through Mencap’s life-changing programmes.
Caroline said: “When Seb was a baby, I remember seeing this advert on TV and remember thinking, ‘I bet you there is not one family there that represents my family.’ I literally paused and looked and looked, but there was no one. I felt excluded and different, and that stayed with me.
“I was surprised when M&S replied to my social media campaign by offering Seb a chance to appear in their Christmas photoshoot. By being seen and heard, it normalises learning disability. It becomes no big deal and removes fear and stigma.
“The 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon is another chance for people with a learning disability to be seen and heard, and show they are more than just a label. The reason why I am running is to raise vital funds for the incredible work Mencap does in supporting people with a learning disability and their families.
Edel Harris, Mencap chief executive, said: “We are delighted that Caroline, along with over 300 other runners including 10 runners with a learning disability, will be taking on the 2020 Virgin Money London Marathon to raise vital funds for Mencap’s life-changing programmes.”
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