A FAIRY-TALE wish was granted in the land of Peeblesshire this month when Tesco boss Sean McCarter pounded the streets of Edinburgh in honour of a little girl battling leukaemia.

But there’s a twist in the tale, as thanks to a wave of Charly Bisset’s magic wand, Sean, who is normally suited and booted, was transformed into a Disney princess!

The Peeblesshire News has been following story of the Bisset family who have had their share of heartache over the last year.

The start of their turbulent journey began when Charly’s father Mark, who had his leg amputated, was fundraising for a wheelchair racer so he could raise awareness and money for the mental health charity that supported him through this challenging time in his life.

When Sean McCarter joined the team at the local supermarket as Mark’s manager, the two struck up a close friendship and together they embarked on a fundraising campaign to do the Edinburgh 10k together. And although Sean moved on from the Peebles store, the pair vowed to carry out their mission.

However, the dream was shattered at the beginning of the year when Mark was hit with heartbreaking news – his seven year-old daughter Charly had acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Mark did what any father would do; he pulled out of the fundraising venture and split the money he had already collected between the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and the hospital treating Charly.

The story didn’t end there. Sean promised to run the race for Charly who had just one request – that he do it dressed as her favourite princess Belle.

“How could I refuse,” said Sean. “Her wish was my command.”

Sean visited Charly in hospital and the pair tried on their gowns in hospital. “We paraded up and down the ward so everyone could see our dresses!”

Sadly Charly couldn’t go and watch her hero running, but parents’ Mark and Kirsty went to cheer on Sean, aka Belle, who whizzed through the streets of the city like the beast was chasing him and finished the 10K in 1hour 10 minutes.

And his attire garnered a few laughs from spectators and participants.

“It was very funny, I could hear people shouting princess as I ran,” added Sean.

And like every runner who finishes the race, Sean was presented with a medal and he knew just who to give it to.

It is now proudly adorned by the bravest little girl who eagerly awaited his return to the hospital. And his reward - a kiss from a princess.