Falkirk Herald writer Auntie Em's so proud of little Alfie (4) going on his big run

Travel writer and Falkirk Herald columnist Emma Muldoon was lost for words when she heard she had inspired her four-year-old nephew to run a mini-marathon for charity.
By James Trimble
Published 13th Jul 2020, 15:07 BST
Updated 13th Jul 2020, 15:08 BST
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Grangemouth resident Emma, who writes the renowned online Simply Emma blog and a monthly column in The Falkirk Herald, has to use a wheelchair due to having limp girdle muscular dystrophy.

She had no idea her condition would prove to be the driving force behind her nephew’s charity endeavours for Muscular Dystrophy UK.

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Emma said: “Alfie was running with his mum just for exercise and she said to him, why don’t you run for a charity. He said ‘I want to run for Aunty Emma’s charity’. I was really quite taken aback and amazed he had thought to do something like that because he is so young.

Falkirk Herald columnist and renowned travel writer Emma Muldoon with her nephew Alfie, who is raising cash for charity in her nameFalkirk Herald columnist and renowned travel writer Emma Muldoon with her nephew Alfie, who is raising cash for charity in her name
Falkirk Herald columnist and renowned travel writer Emma Muldoon with her nephew Alfie, who is raising cash for charity in her name

“I’m incredibly proud of him taking on this challenge and to have the idea to do it for charity to help others. He is so happy to be doing it to help people like me with muscle wasting conditions.

“He has been telling everyone about his run and what muscular dystrophy is – he’s a wee superstar with a heart of gold.”

While Alfie is Emma’s hero, the youngster was delighted to get a kind message of support from his own top role model – former Falkirk player and current Rangers star Scott Arfield, who wished him well online.

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Due to the coronavirus crisis and her condition, Emma has not been able to see Alfie, who lives in East Kilbride, as much as she would like or even go outside very much – which is hard for someone who loves to travel as much as she does.

“I’ve been shielding for the last four months so I’ve not been able to go out and see anyone. I do talk to Alfie on video calls and he’s so excited to be doing this run.

“His mum originally thought they would raise £100 through friends and family, then they put it up to £200. Now the total raised has topped £2000 – everyone is really shocked at how it has taken off.”

Alfie is gearing up to take on his 5K run on Saturday, July 25 with Auntie Emma cheering him on from Grangemouth and his parents Laura and Scott and sister Darcie (2) there in person to support him all the way.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/laura-mcenroe to donate to Alfie’s challenge.

Related topics:Grangemouth