A GIRL of 7 who lost her mother to breast cancer four years ago has raised more than £1,300 for charity – by "dancing" the 5km Race for Life.
Emily Darby, of Carloggas, St Mawgan, was one of the youngest of the 800 women and girls running in memory of friends and loved ones in Wadebridge on Sunday.
The youngster, who loves singing, dancing and art, completed the Royal Cornwall Showground course in just 44 minutes.
And dad Andy, 51, reckons her success was down to her impressive ability to talk and dance the whole way round.
Emily teamed up with family friend Katherine Webster, her daughter Lauren and niece Connie, for the run, in aid of Cancer Research UK.
Andy, a graphic designer, told the Cornish Guardian: "Apparently she didn't stop talking and dancing the whole way. She's amazing.
"It was brilliant to watch her. I was so proud. It was the first one of these events that I'd been to and the overwhelming thing is that it's a celebration of life, not just about people dying of cancer. Of course there are a lot of sad stories there but there's also a real sense of camaraderie and a real sense of life. It's brilliant."
Emily's mum, Libby, died four years ago after battling breast cancer. She was diagnosed while pregnant and underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy while carrying her daughter.
Andy added: "Even though she was only 3 when Libby died, Emily does remember quite a bit about her mum. We always talk about her and it's never been a closed subject.
"Libby was an amazing person. She was an acupuncturist in Redruth. She was probably the most intelligent person I've ever met; just a bright, amazing person, and it seems my daughter is following in her footsteps."
He said Emily got the idea for running the Race for Life after seeing adverts on TV – and she is now already planning other fundraising events. "Emily just turned around to me and said, 'I want to do that'," said Andy. "She's not really fond of running long distances which is another great thing about her suggesting doing it. She had a great time and is now talking about doing more of them, with me this time."
Emily attends Mawgan-in-Pydar School and is dreaming of being a fashion designer, dancer or singer.
"She's a very determined little girl," said Andy.
For more on the Race For Life, see pages 24 and 25.
