The surefire sign of a top person in Bristol is someone who is respected on both sides of the football divide.

That's certainly the case for Bristol City legend Scott Murray, who has once again warmed hearts with an act of kindness.

The Robins kitman, who made more than 350 appearances for the club in over two spells, has offered a local boy with Down's Syndrome the chance to visit Ashton Gate on match day as a reward for his football skills.

(Image: Robbie Stephenson/JMP)

After Caroline White posted a video of her 11-year-old son Seb doing keepy-uppies on Twitter, it came to the attention of Murray, who reached out with the offer of tickets to an upcoming game.

Murray said he wanted to congratulate Seb for his hard work in practicing his skills, and it came as a welcome surprise to Caroline.

She said: "Seb's a massive football fan and we live in Bath, so we go and watch Bath City play, but obviously Bristol City is that bit bigger.

"It was a really lovely gesture - my husband is a big football fan and knows all about Scott Murray.

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"It's been lovely."

Caroline was moved to post the video on Twitter after being told she risked patronising Seb for praising his achievements, but she says her son works hard to achieve what others may find easy, and this is something to celebrate.

She explained: "That's why I wanted to celebrate what he achieved, someone had accused me of being patronising by sharing his achievements and being ableist.

"What a sad day if we can't celebrate any of our kids' achievements.

"When Seb was born and we were told he had Down's Syndrome, the pediatrician at the time said he had low muscle tone and potential heart problems, so might not be very good at sport.

"At the time, not knowing anything about Down's Syndrome, I felt down about the future and was quite devastated, but I couldn't have been more wrong, our lives are really typical and Seb is very sporty.

"What's amazing about Seb is his incredible drive and worth ethic, he will try and try and try, probably a lot harder than my other kids, to achieve stuff that might come easier to others.

"I just think it's something to celebrate."

Such is the power of social media, that the video now has 42,100 views on Twitter and many Robins fans have joined in with Murray's praise of Seb.

Caroline has shown her son some of the messages and says he is thrilled by the warm response.

She said: "Like most teenagers, Seb loves TikTok and social media, so he loves the fact that his video is out there and everyone sees him playing football.

"I've shown him some of the replies and he's loving it."

It is not the first time Murray has taken time out to help people with learning disabilities, with the Robins legend also playing head tennis with a Middlesbrough fan with Down's Syndrome last season before offering them a training top.

Whilst very kind gestures such as this may seem to be fleeting in the long run, Caroline, the chair of Bath Mencap, says there is a serious - and long-term - benefit to heroes like Murray engaging with people with learning disabilities and inviting them places.

"It's so important for lots of reasons," Caroline explained.

"A lot of adults with learning disabilities can become socially isolated when they leave education and the family home.

"We try and get into the habit of going to matches and nurturing Seb's interest, and hopefully that will follow through into adulthood.

"It's really important to me that Seb doesn't become socially isolated as an adult."

She added: "It's also good in terms of being seen and heard in his community.

"The person who accused me of being ableist felt it wasn't for me to share him as he should self-advocate, but that's not always possible when you have a learning disability, and what a said day if, as parents, we can't champion our kids.

"So to just be seen and heard in your community is huge, it sends out a message of being valued as an equal, that's really important.

"Playing football too is not only good physically but also for mental wellbeing, self-esteem and being part of a team.

"There's so many reasons why sport is really important from my point of view for Seb and other people with learning disabilities."

Caroline herself is set to undertake a big sporting challenge later this year when she runs the London Marathon for Mencap - and she says she is taking plenty of inspiration from her son's achievements.

She said: "I wouldn't call myself a natural runner so it's quite a commitment, I'm at 10 miles on my training and have done a couple of half marathons before.

"It's quite daunting but it's equally exciting - it's an incredible opportunity for Mencap.

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"Most charities, people can engage with on an emotional level; most of us have had friends or family that have had cancer, for example, or Alzheimer's, but, when it comes to learning disabilities, it's really hard to engage with people who aren't necessarily from that community.

"It's an amazing opportunity for Mencap, who are the charity partner this year,to tell the stories of people with learning disabilities.

"People with learning disabilities will be running the London Marathon, it is an amazing opportunity to show ability, celebrate achievements and for everyone to see beyond disability and see the person."

She added: "Thinking of Seb and all the other people that Mencap champion, as well as those who have sponsored me, will help me put the miles in, even if I'd rather be at home drinking a cup of tea!

"Seb's work ethic has definitely inspired me."