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Inaugural Courage & Hope Challenge to honor Sean Allen

Date: 9/17/2012

By Lori Szepelak

lori@thereminder.com

LONGMEADOW — Nick and Lindy Allen "want to change the world for Sean."

Sean Allen, who passed away at the age of 27 from cancer last year, was the couple's only child. The couple, with the assistance from a small army of volunteers, will lead the inaugural Sean M. Allen Courage & Hope Challenge 5K Run/1.5 Walk on Sept. 22. The event begins and ends at St. Mary's Church, 519 Longmeadow St. The 5K Run starts at 9 a.m., with the walk beginning at 9:15 a.m.

The Sean M. Allen Courage and Hope Challenge Inc. promotes the value, courage and hope of people who are challenged with disabilities through education, public awareness and individual needs, according to Nick Allen during an interview with Reminder Publications.

"We are a 100 percent volunteer nonprofit," he said.

Lindy Allen noted that since the group is nonprofit, all funds raised go directly to individuals challenged with disabilities.

"We have already helped a little boy who needed tracking software for his computer because he had vision challenges," she said.

The couple both agreed they want to be a "vehicle" by doing the right thing for people.

"Everyone needs a helping hand at times in their lives, we want to change the world for Sean," Lindy Allen said.

Sean Allen lived life to the fullest though challenged by cerebral palsy and, during the last year of his life, cancer.

"His courage and hope led him to meet some incredible goals of graduation from Barnstable High School and Springfield College," Nick Allen said.

The couple are committed to keeping Sean's "incredible spirit" alive through the run/walk event.

"Sean's light shines in all of us," Lindy Allen said. "His courage and hope will inspire us to do great things in life."

The registration fee to participate is $5 for young people 12 years of age and under up to the day of the event, and for adults, $30. Awards will be given to the top male and female finisher, and T-shirts will be given to all entrants who are registered prior to race day. T-shirts will then be available on race day as supplies last. A post race entertainment program is also planned. Checks and money orders should be made payable to: Sean M. Allen Courage & Hope Challenge Inc., 159 Greenacre Ave., Longmeadow, MA 01106.

To register online or to download a registration form, visit www.seanallenchallenge.org.

Lindy Allen acknowledged the importance of seeing past someone's disability since it's what is "inside that truly matters."

"I told Sean how perfect he was," said Lindy Allen, holding back tears as she recounted the morning she and Nick had to let Sean pass.

"I told Sean that this life on earth isn't the end and I know there is something better out there ... something wonderful," Lindy Allen said. "I never could have let go of my son if I didn't believe that."

Nick Allen added that his son was an "eternal optimist."

"He taught us so much about life," he said.