Emma and wee Sean’s super effort at 5K run
Duo raise cash for soft play
A disabled toddler and his nursery carer completed a charity race in superhero style on Saturday – dressed as Batman and Robin.
Little Sean Smith was strapped to the legs of Emma Farrell so that the caped crusaders could begin the Bellahouston 5K run together.
Emma went solo for the majority of the race and then strapped four-year-old Sean to her legs once again just before the race end, so they could cross the finish line as a double act and celebrate together.
Big-hearted Emma came up with the charity stunt to help raise money needed to buy four-year-old Sean soft play equipment so he can enjoy the outdoors.
Sean has cerebral palsy, is registered blind, and has difficulty walking. Emma worked one-on-one with him at nursery from last August and they have struck up a special friendship.
The Reformer previously told how medics said Sean had only 48 hours to live when he was born, but defied the odds to survive and is now set to start school in August.
The family have an ‘Upsee’, an upright mobility device, which enables children with disabilities to be able to walk in tandem with an adult while strapped to their legs.
Emma, 27, was delighted to use the Upsee and share her charity efforts with Sean.
Emma, from King’s Park, said: “It was a great day. We were the last ones to begin the race but we weren’t the last ones to finish. A short distance from the end we got Sean into the Upsee again and it was nice for us both to go over the finish line together.”
Emma’s kids, eight-year-old Louise, and four-year-old Sophie also crossed the finish line with them, along with Sean’s dad with toddler son Daniel.
Sean’s mum Pamela Smith is from Cambuslang, his dad Sean is from Glasgow, and the family live in Easterhouse.
Due to his disabilities, Sean has been unable to play outside.
The family launched a fundraising campaign to raise at least £2500 for a soft play area in the garden for Sean to enjoy.
As well as Emma’s sponsored run which raised hundreds of pounds, a charity night also took place at the 100 Acres pub in King’s Park earlier this month.
Sean senior said: “We’ve exceeded our target and have just under £3000, which is fantastic. We’d like to thank Emma and everyone else who supported us.
“We’ve bought a swing and chute but just need to get a disabled seat for it. Our back garden is downhill so we’re also going to have decking built so there’s a flat surface, and we’ll be including a sandpit and soft play area too.
“Sean’s going to love it!”