Knockout fostering team boost for Samantha Smith

Members of fostering team after completing their It's a Knockout challenge

Staff from the council’s fostering team raised £722 towards lifesaving treatment for Samantha Smith by competing in an It’s a Knockout challenge at Falinge Park.

Samantha recently visited the team, in-between treatment, to be presented with her cheque.

Samantha, 31, from Smithy Bridge, is raising money for life saving treatment for her Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) that she suffers from.

Samantha said: “A massive thanks to the incredible social care team at Rochdale Council for all their fundraising efforts and what sounds like an incredibly fun but challenging day.

“My parents are foster carers and their team of social workers stepped up for my cause and raised a grand total of £722.

“There were one or two dislocations in the process, which goes to show what a determined team they are.

"Sending love and thanks.”

Samantha’s parents, Joanne and Phil, who are foster carers, said: “We are so grateful to the fostering team for their fund raising efforts. We both love our role as foster carers and the support from the council in that role is great but for them to take on some fundraising for Samantha is so heart-warming.”

Tracey Johnson, fostering recruitment manager at the council, said: “We know what Joanne and Phil are going through with Samantha so we wanted to show our support."