A TEAM of 17 solicitors from a Trafford law firm tackled the Great Manchester Run - to help an athlete realise his dreams of taking part in the European Transplant Games this summer.

The team from McHale & Co completed the 10k run through the streets of Manchester on Sunday, May 22.

They ran the event to raising money to help Altrincham athlete Sam Clarke.

Sam is hoping to compete in the discus, 100m relay, petanque, and tenpin bowling in Helsinki in July.

Sam, 23, was born with a genetic kidney disease and had a transplant in 2003 at the age of 11. He has since competed at the British Transplant Games and represented Team GB at the world games in Argentina last year.

Sam said: “I have won a variety of medals in the past 12 years, most recently two gold medals in the World Transplant Games in Argentina.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and one of the biggest achievements in my life so far.

“I have now made it my personal goal to attend the European Transplant and Dialysis Games this year in Helsinki.”

Sam, who works at Pure Gym in Altrincham, trains under coach John Snape at Altrincham Athletics Club.

He trains up to five times a week despite having to take 13 medications a day.

He added: “It’s only been in the last couple of years that I have really taken athletics seriously and it has meant a massive change for the better in my life.

“In that time I have lost a lot of weight and it’s been great for my general fitness.

“It would mean everything to me to get to the European games and then hopefully the World Transplant Games in Malaga next year.”

Sam needs around £1,000 to compete in Finland, with the current fundraising total standing at just under £900.

The fundraising page is due to expire on Friday. Anything raised above and beyond the £1,000 will go to the Sport Community charity, which supports community based projects with a specific target of helping local sporting causes.

James Berry, a trainee solicitor from McHale & Co, who completed the 10k distance in a time of just over 43 minutes, said: “It was fantastic to see the whole firm come together for such a great cause.

"Our team ranged from seasoned runners to others who had never run before. Yet everyone pulled together and exceeded expectations.”

For details of how to help Sam, go to the McHale website at www.mchaleandco.co.uk.