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Emily steals show on Bike Hike

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She didn’t ride the furthest or the fastest, but 2014 Telethon girl Emily Prior stole the show at yesterday’s Telethon Freeway Bike Hike for Asthma.

The eight-year-old completed the 3km ‘trike hike’ with her twin sister Reese to raise money and awareness for the Asthma Foundation of WA.

After catching up with one of her favourite furry friends, Fat Cat, Emily set out on a ride from Belmont Park to Wellington Square – no mean feat given her cerebral palsy.

BIKE HIKE: ALL CYCLES GREAT AND SMALL TAKE TO FREEWAY


Emily’s cerebral palsy is more severe than her sister’s, but the Kingsley girl has an irrepressible can-do attitude.

Her mother, Jen, watched on as she started struggling in the second half of the ride.

That was when a police officer made a decision that has set Perth’s social media networks buzzing.

“Emily didn't think she would make it, but the gorgeous policeman riding beside us asked me her name and then rode close to her,” Mrs Prior said.

“He just kept talking to her the entire way, challenging her to a race and then joking she was faster than him.”

Emily Prior rode 3km to help others. Supplied picture

The officer’s heart-warming actions spurred Emily on and she dug deep in an attempt to join her sister who was waiting for her at the finish line.

When she finally got there, Mrs Prior said she was “absolutely spent.”

“She was exhausted,” she said.

“She went to bed very early and was asleep within seconds.”

Emily later used her Twitter account, @LittleMissyEm, to thank the police for their support.

“Thank you @WA_Police for cheering me on and escorting me across the finish line @FwyBikeHike @Telethon7 I did it 3km #CerebralPalsy,” she said.

Mrs Prior posted a photo to Facebook after the race which showed the police officer offering Emily some words of encouragement.

The photo had attracted nearly 40,000 likes by midnight.

Former Methodist Ladies College student Hannah Cammack left a comment on the photo, saying the moment had given her goose bumps.

“I was at the finish line and saw Reese come in on her own with one policeman,” she said.

“While we waited for her mum and sister he stayed by her side, talking to her and making her laugh. That was gorgeous to see

“When Emily rounded that last bend, with her mum Jen Prior and the flashing lights of the police bike, I got goose bumps.

“The look of determination on her little face as she peddled those last few metres was very heart-warming and the policeman had a big grin on his face.

“There are definitely still good people in the world.”

Hugs: Emily Prior and old friend Fat Cat. Supplied picture