Friends step up their fundraising by tackling a marathon

Kay Sampson and Michelle Mason will be taking part in their first marathon in Manchester next month to raise money for CHUF, the children’s heart unit at the Freeman Hospital.

The pair took up running a few years ago and since then they have completed six half-marathons, as well as climbing Ben Nevis, and have raised in the region of £10,000 for a variety of charities.

Kay, 45, who lives in Castletown with her husband David, 48, and children, Bradley, 19, and Evie, 12, said this time she chose CHUF because her godson, Liam Adamson, 23, from Sunderland, was cared for at the unit many years ago and was in fact the youngest baby to have a pacemaker fitted at just a few days old.

The stylist, who works at Infinity Hair Salon in Seaburn, said: “It is a charity close to my heart. It is our first marathon and I have to say it will be our last.”

Kay and Michelle, 50, who works for Greatlook Design Studio in Gateshead and lives in Fulwell with her husband, Ian, 50, and son Max, 15, are now in training for the marathon.

Kay said: “We would like to thank all of our family, friends and clients from Infinity Hair Salon, for all their kindness and support, a massive thank you to Terry Topping for all his advice, support and belief in us, and for doing our marathon training plan.”

She said the response has been fantastic, and the running pair have already raised more than £1,000 so far for the hospital.

To sponsor them or make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/Kay-Sampson2