Seashell Trust’s very own marathon man Daniel Snee has raised over £4,000, smashing his target of £2,500.
Dan, who has severe development delay, severe autism, sensory processing dysfunction, epilepsy and no speech, completed his epic feat by running four-and-a-half laps, just over a mile, at Woodbank athletics track in Stockport.
He ran just over 26 miles in total over a number of weeks with his learning support team, at Woodbank Athletics track in Stockport to raise the money to help his Seashell Trust classmates.
Family, friends and staff from the Seashell Trust, in Cheadle Hulme, where Daniel, 16, is a student gathered at the track celebrate him crossing the line at the end of his marathon effort.
His mum Michelle said: “He had cumulatively run 26 miles over the last few months.
“I think the photo just shows how what a determined young man he really is – just look at the facial expression.
“Everyone is incredibly proud of him. This achievement is a celebration of Daniel – his personality, sense of purpose and everything he does well and certainly not the list of disabilities that have been well documented throughout his life.
“He is very fortunate to have had the wonderful support and encouragement of his school team at Seashell – Allyson Taylor, Jane Laiker, and Rachael Moat, in particular, who ran with him on the day.”
Dan, who is also registered deafblind, combined the sport and charity sections of his silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in a sponsored run.
The fund will provide for trips and experiences his class friends might not be able to access otherwise.
Allyson Taylor, a teacher at Seashell Trust, said: “Running independently is a huge achievement for him. It helps him to focus and his vision appears to be improving as a result.
“It also helps him to concentrate in school. Daniel has a wonderful supportive family who are keen to give him opportunity to grow as an able young man.
“Now Daniel is using the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to raise money for his friends to give them opportunities to be able to fulfil their dreams.
“Dan has raised a staggering £4,300. It really is astonishing.
“What has surprised me is the way in which Dan has inspired others. The messages on his donations page are just lovely and so many are from total strangers.”
