A Co Down schoolgirl has raised hundreds of pounds by running two races in memory of her beloved grandfather.
Little Scarlett Morrow ran not one but two two-kilometre races to raise funds for the British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland after her grandfather, Jack, died from heart failure in 2019.
One of the races was the Runways event at Newtownards Airport, which was the same venue her grandfather raced motorcycles in the 1950s.
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The seven year-old from Ballyhalbert raised the funds by running in red for the heart charity.
Scarlett’s mother Barbara said the family wanted to support the British Heart Foundation because of the support they received while her father was ill.
Explaining how Scarlett’s fundraising efforts came about, Barbara said: “She is the most incredible child with a giant heart of gold. We have raised our children to know about charities and to help others.
“Scarlett was very close to her grandfather even though she was young when he died. I asked Scarlett if she would like to do something to raise money and she was so excited about it.
“I have been involved in triathlon training and Scarlett has always wanted to run as well. I ran with her and the support we received from everyone was so great and Scarlett really enjoyed it.
“It was a wonderful experience for her. And the fact that it took place where her grandfather – my father – raced as a road racer decades ago when he was young just made it extra special.”
Discussing the support her family received from the British Heart Foundation, Barbara said: “When my father was ill, we had concerns about his medication, and I got in touch with the British Heart Foundation and the support we received was fantastic and gave us the information we needed.
“Both Scarlett and I wanted to do something to help so that other families might also get the same support at a traumatic time in their lives.”
Head of British Heart Foundation Northern Ireland, Fearghal McKinney, thanked Scarlett and her family for their fantastic fundraising efforts.
“Scarlett’s fantastic achievements in completing not just one, but two races in memory of her grandfather and to raise funds to support the British Heart Foundation is nothing short of inspirational.
“I thank Scarlett and her family, and everyone her cheered her on as well as all those who donated.
“Scarlett’s achievements will help support our lifesaving research which will ultimately go on to help many others.”
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