A FOUR-YEAR-OLD boy with cerebral palsy took part in the Bournemouth Marathon Festival to raise money for the Armed Forces charity SSAFA.

Little Rory Scullion wears knee high splints on both legs but that didn't stop him cheerfully completing the 1k event in the rain.

Rory started school in September and he trained for the event by walking to school every day.

He and his family chose SSAFA to benefit from his efforts after it funded a specially-adapted, £1,400 trike which had been recommended by his physiotherapist.

Rory’s brain was starved of oxygen at birth and as a newborn he spent several days in an induced hypothermic state at Southampton General Hospital to prevent further damage.

His mum, Abbie said: "It was a really dark time and doctors couldn’t really predict the extent of the damage at the time. As it turned out he is a little superstar. He is so determined and it is only his gross motor movements that have been affected.

"He has regular physiotherapy sessions and the physio had recommended a specially-adapted trike but it cost £1,400. We had tried balance bikes and normal bikes but they weren’t working for him so this seemed like the ideal solution."

Abbie’s husband, Ross, serves in the Royal Navy as a Petty Officer (Air Crewman) and Abbie, who is fourth generation Royal Navy, served 11 years, initially as a dental nurse and later as a photographer. This made her eligible for support from SSAFA.

She said: "SSAFA was the obvious point of call really. Our caseworker, Barbara, came to see me and talked everything through and a little while later she called to say she had managed to raise the money for the trike.

"It was amazing. I was so overwhelmed when she called and it was brilliant timing as we managed to get the trike for Rory just in time for Christmas. The trike is amazing because it allows him to join in with the other children at the park.

"We would never have been able to afford it without help so when we saw the marathon was coming up we thought it would be a great opportunity to give back.

"He has achieved so much – we’re so proud of him. It’s nice to be able to give back and pay forward the kindness for other Service families in need of a bit of help."

Rory completed the event in less than 11 minutes and was thrilled when he managed to overtake some of the other participants.

So far he has raised around £1,200.

To donate to Rory’s page, go to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AbbieScullion