Local Tesco stores raise money for Samantha Smith

Several local Tesco stores have launched Christmas hamper raffles to raise money for the Save Samantha Appeal.

Managers of the stores, Martin Whitehouse (Whitworth Road), Sam Wilson (Whitworth) and Gail Wilson (Shaw), all created Christmas hampers with goods donated by staff members to raise as much as possible for the appeal.

The Save Samantha appeal was set up to help raise vital funds for Samantha Smith’s lifesaving operations, after the mother of two’s brain and spinal cord were being crushed under the weight of her own skull due to several medical conditions.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/109403/samantha-smith-in-desperate-rush-to-raise-£150000-for-life-saving-surgery

The raffle was launched in the stores on Saturday (15 December), and included a cake stall selling homemade bakes by Farzana Sidi. Tickets are still on sale until Saturday 22 December.

Mr Whitehouse said: “Raffles are all ongoing until this Saturday (22 December) when we will total it all up and pass the raised money to the Save Samantha fund.

“Farzana’s individual cakes enabled us to raise £220.50 in just over four hours which wouldn’t have been possible if Farzana hadn’t dedicated her own time and ingredients.”

The appeal has raised approximately £160,000 towards Sam’s next operation, a ‘lifetime’ fix after several failed operations, but urgently needs your help to raise the remainder before January.  

Samantha must pay the majority of the £250,000 operation in early January, or face cancelling the lifesaving surgery, which has been pencilled in for 25 January 2019. The rest needs to be paid within two weeks of discharge.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/124860/provisional-date-of-25-january-for-samantha-smiths-£250000-lifetime-fix-operation

After ‘a lifetime of pain and eight years of tests, misdiagnoses and ill health,’ Samantha was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a genetic condition of the connective tissue, in December 2016, plus additional complications.

How you can help Save Samantha

Donations can be made via:

Just Giving: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/save-samantha-smith

PayPal: www.paypal.me/savesamanthapurchase

Bank Transfer: 

Name: Save Samantha 
Account no: 90266248
Sort code: 20-45-45

Read more about Samantha's brave journey:

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/news-archives?type=News&Criteria=Samantha+Smith