Marathon tribute to tragic boy

Published Friday, 20 April 2012
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Over 200 people are set to take part in the Belfast City Marathon in memory of a sports-mad child knocked down and killed in a tragic accident outside his south Belfast home in December.

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Five-year-old Emmet Delaney was knocked down in the driveway of his upper Lisburn Road home.

He had been playing football when the car his grandmother was driving struck him.

"It was devastating really, to be honest with you," his mother Paula recalled.

Moments before, she was getting ready to go to London on a work trip with her little son helping her pack her suitcase - but then he decided he wanted to go outside to play football with his little friend.

Paula said he put on his coat, gloves, football whistle and prepared his water bottle for a drink during his game.

One minute he was there, the next minute he was gone.

Paula Delaney

"You just don't think when you get up that your son is not going to be there by the time you want to put him to bed that night," she said through tears.

Now, inspired by Emmet's love of sport him mum, 8-year-old brother Pearse and grandmother are all participating in the marathon in May.

"Emmet just loved sport. The school asked could they do the marathon for Emmie," Paula said, adding that she then decided she would do her bit also.

They hope to keep his memory alive by raising money to help others .

The family is currently receiving counselling to deal with the traumatic death and have decided to raise funds for New Life Counselling.

They will split sponsorship money raised through participating in the marathon to Northern Ireland Children's Hospice.

To date, over 230 people are taking part in memory of the child.

"I've just been totally overwhelmed," his devastated mum said.

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"That to me is a huge outcry of support. It gives me the chance to say thank you to all those people who've helped and been there for mum, Pearse and myself."
© UTV News
Comments Comments
2 Comments
roy in ards wrote (396 days ago):
i would like to agree with colin downeys comment, you are a remarkable lady, good luck for your big day.
colin downey in belfast wrote (396 days ago):
I have just seen your report on UTV about you running the marathon in memory of your son Emmett,can i just say you are a very brave lady,wish you all the best on the day,and after just losing my 11 year old son in january 2012,i know how you must be feeling,no greater lost...ALL THE BEST,for the day,colin
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