YOUNG charity runner Amber-Jane Smith faces six weeks with her arm in plaster after she fell shortly after taking part in the Bournemouth Marathon Festival.

The six-year-old school girl, from Three Legged Cross, was one of 500 children who took part in one of the junior events last weekend.

Her mother Suzannah, 35, who took part in the 5k race, said she was expecting to see her husband and daughter at the finish line.

“I eventually found them in Bournemouth gardens. Amber-Jane was sitting on her daddy’s knee in tears,” Suzannah explains.

“I took her to the first aid tent where she was treated and we ended up going to Poole A&E, still in our running gear, where we found she had broken her arm.”

Suzannah adds: “It was not how we expected to end our marathon day.

“It was a long day. Apparently she was chasing squirrels in the gardens when she fell.”

Amber-Jane is no stranger to hospitals. She was born with a hip condition DDH (developmental dysplasia of the hip) and spent 20 weeks in plaster casts after a hip operation.

But her mother said: “She’s coped really well even though she hates sitting still.”

The pair are raising money for two charities – Macmillan cancer support and Steps.

To support Amber-Jane, visit virginmoneygiving. com/team/ssajs.