Rochdale Online reporter raises £425 towards Save Samantha appeal with Great Manchester Run

A Rochdale Online journalist has raised £425 towards the Save Samantha appeal of her £1,000 target by taking part in a blistering Great Manchester Run on Sunday 20 May.

Michelle Kight, 26, took on the 10k race in sweltering heat, which saw over 30,000 runners pound the streets of Manchester – many in aid of charity – on one of the hottest days of the year.

Michelle, of Rochdale, chose to support the Save Samantha appeal to help psychotherapist and mother-of-two, Samantha Smith, with her medical treatment.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/118675/rochdale-online-reporter-taking-part-in-great-manchester-run-to-raise-money-for-save-samantha-appeal

Michelle, who finished the race in 01:32:46, said: “That was one of the three hardest races I’ve taken part in alongside the very first Rochdale 10k, which was tough because of the August heat, and the Stockport 10, which is hard because it’s 10 miles of hills.

“The heat definitely made it more of a challenge because it was about 24, 25 degrees in direct sun with very little shade. The volunteers along the route handing out water and jelly babies did a fantastic job, and the two showers in the second half were amazing and well-appreciated.

“I’m still amazed by the wonderful people who come together for this race every year to raise money for charity. Manchester has some selfless people, and I’m so glad to call this region home because this is something the people of Rochdale are especially good at.”

When Michelle was 19, she was diagnosed with femoral acetabular impingement (FAI or hip impingement), bony overgrowths in both hips which restricted her movement. She underwent two surgeries in September 2012 and March 2013 to address the problem, with the possibility of the condition returning later in life.

She has taken part in the Great Manchester Run, Europe’s largest race, every year since 2014, after being chosen with five others to take part by running legend, Paula Radcliffe.

She added: “I decided early on that this race was purely for Sam. One of my hips did get a bit tender later on, which isn’t unusual for me, but with a bit of rest, it’ll be back to normal. I’ve been lucky that I’ve not had a DNF (did not finish) yet, and I definitely wasn’t about to let yesterday be the first!”

Rochdale Online has closely followed Samantha’s journey since April 2017, when we broke the news of her desperate race to raise £150,000 for lifesaving neurosurgery after her brain and spinal cord were being crushed under the weight of her own skull.

Following two operations in Washington with a leading surgeon over the summer, Sam, 31, revealed the surgeries failed to stop her neck from dislocating, and she now requires a third operation which will further restrict her movement, estimated to cost in the region of £100,000.

This is on top of a further £50,000 to cover the costs of the most recent operation.

Michelle, who holds an MA in Multimedia Journalism, added: “It was great that race commentator Andy O’Sullivan of Andems Runners gave me the chance to tell the crowds why I was taking part. Lots of people are aware of Samantha’s plight, and I hope this helps keep her in their minds that she still needs us in order to get her the help she desperately needs.”

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far. I’m leaving the donation page open for a while, so anyone who wants to donate still can, I know it will be very much appreciated by Sam.”

To donate, visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/michelle-kight