A GROUP of friends and family is taking on the Bupa Great Manchester Run to raise money for a hospital close to their hearts.

Chris Machin of Gerrard Avenue, Timperley and team will be taking part in the event on Sunday May 18 in aid of the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital where Chris’ daughter, Emily, had three operations last year after being diagnosed with a brain tumour in July.

A fit and active girl, since the diagnosis Emily has suffered with fatigue and eyesight problems which limit what she can do but the determined Loreto Grammar School pupil has not let that stop her.

Dad Chris and mum Lindsay will be by her side but Chris admitted: “ She’s a little apprehensive because it’s quite a long way and she’s never done anything like this before.”

He told the Messenger her volunteering for the challenge was ’inspiring’ and said: “It doesn’t matter how long it takes her.”

Emily is tackling the run with 3 football teammates from Altrincham Girls FC as her way of thanking the doctors and nurses who looked after her. Hannah Sultan, Lucy Maguire and Ellie Stevenson, all 15, from Wellington

School,Timperley will be running with Chris, 39, his wife Lindsay, 41, daughter Emily, 15, Lindsay’s sister Lauren Patel and her fiance James Croston, Maggie Neville and Tony George.

To donate, go to:http://www.justgiving.com/EmilyMachin