Samantha Smith's dad to hand-cycle equivalent distance to York to raise funds for daughter's lifesaving operation

Samantha Smith’s dad is aiming to raise £2,000 for his daughter’s lifesaving surgery by completing a 120-km hand-powered cycle on Sunday (28 October).

Philip Smith, from Wardle, will be doing the sponsored bike ride using a hand-powered cycle, due to his own mobility restrictions arising from arthritis and knee surgeries.

Having spent many months training, Phil will now cycle an equivalent distance of Rochdale to York around a circuit at the British Disability Cycling Hub in Ashton-under-Lyne as part of a family fun day to raise even more much-needed funds towards his daughter’s surgery.

He said: “I underestimated how hard it would be, but it wouldn’t be a challenge if it wasn’t.

“We’re hoping to raise a lot more on the day as we’ve turned it into a full day out.”

There will be craft stalls, refreshments and a bar, plus a variety of events for young children.

Last month, brave mother of two, Samantha, whose brain and spinal cord were being crushed under the weight of her own skull, revealed that she is once again fighting for her life after three extensive surgeries to stabilise her head and neck did not have the success rate anticipated.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/122364/samantha-smith-reveals-further-deterioration-in-heartbreaking-update

Samantha, who urgently requires another fusion surgery, also revealed that due to her various medical conditions, her body is deteriorating so rapidly, she now requires brain surgery as her brainstem is falling out of her skull.

Approximately £52,500 has been donated towards Samantha’s next lifesaving operations so far, which are once again not available in the UK and will cost over £100,000.

Read more about Samantha's brave journey:

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/news-archives?Page=1&type=News&Criteria=samantha%20smith&SearchType=Phrase&CatID=

Support Philip

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/philip-smith-111?utm_id=92&utm_term=6GnXV6Y57