Five-year-old boy raises £11,000 for charity by running marathon over ten days
A five-year-old boy from Rhondda Cynon Taf has raised more than £11,000 for charity by running a marathon over ten days.
Henry Edwards, from Miskin, near Llantrisant, wanted to raise £100 for bereavement support charity 2 Wish Upon a Star, which helped the family after Henry's cousin William died aged three.
But little Henry's determination to run 2.6 miles each day in memory of William has touched the hearts of hundreds of supporters - and he has smashed his original target.
Today, the young runner told ITV News: "I am just so proud of myself".
When lockdown measures began, Henry initially ran laps around his garden to keep active.
But he was soon using his daily exercise allowance to run around his local village, raising money as he went.
Members of the community - including the local police - turned out to support him as he raced around Miskin.
He completed his final 2.6 mile run on Sunday, which would have been the same day that the London Marathon was held before it was cancelled amid the Covid-19 outbreak.
Henry's mum Katey and dad Rob say they couldn't be prouder of their young fundraiser.
Katey told ITV News: "We set off on the first day and Henry just ran and ran. I was trailing behind asking him to slow down!
"Every day he would get up and he couldn't wait to run. During one run, halfway through the challenge, Henry had a fall and was quite upset. At first I was worried that it would stop him in his tracks, but he completed that run. It was slower than usual, but fair play, he carried on running.
"The wonderful people of Miskin came out to support Henry every day and this spurred him on."
Katey added: "I cannot describe how proud I am of my son.
"I have never experienced such determination, drive and positive attitude in someone, let alone a five-year-old boy.
"I don't think Henry has any idea of what he's achieved, or understands the concept of how much money he's raised. He is also totally unaware of how he has brought a community together in these strange times.
"To him, he just put his trainers on and ran 2.6 miles around the block - easy!"
Henry's chosen charity, 2 Wish Upon a Star, has called him a "superstar".
Watch the full report by Hannah Thomas here:
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