VIDEO: Brave Jacob ditches wheelchair for Santa Dash

A determined teenager with cerebral palsy ditched his wheelchair to bravely complete a Santa Dash just a few days before his 18th birthday.
Jacob and Heidi Hunter at the finish line of the Clifton Park santa dash.Jacob and Heidi Hunter at the finish line of the Clifton Park santa dash.
Jacob and Heidi Hunter at the finish line of the Clifton Park santa dash.

Jacob Hunter, who celebrates his big day tomorrow, left behind his chair to cross the line in the fundraising event in just 39 minutes.

Jacob, from Bolton-on-Dearne, has limited mobility and sometimes has to use a wheelchair to get around.

Jacob and Heidi Hunter at the finish line of the Clifton Park santa dash.Jacob and Heidi Hunter at the finish line of the Clifton Park santa dash.
Jacob and Heidi Hunter at the finish line of the Clifton Park santa dash.
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He had an operation to straighten his legs and intensive physio as he grew up but was determined to walk the one mile route at Clifton Park in Rotherham on Sunday.

Proud mum Heidi said: “I’m very proud of him. It has been such an emotional day in so many ways.

“Watching Jacob reach his own goal was amazing. I am still speechless at how quickly he did it. Thank you from the bottom of both our hearts. We are just two normal people helping raise money for a good cause.”

The event was in aid of Rotherham Hospice and Jacob has so far drawn in a whopping £415 - over and above the £200 target he set himself.

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He said: “I enjoyed every minute of the Santa Dash today at Clifton Park. I would just like to say a big thank you to my wonderful mum for putting my name down.

“I would just like to say a big thank you to all my friends and family for sponsoring me - I really appeciate it.

“I didn’t think that I would be able to walk one mile round Clifton Park but I did it and I’m very proud of myself. I’m definitly going to do it again next year. I loved every minute of it.”

To donate to Jacob’s challenge, see www.justgiving.com/Jacob-Hunter.