Mikey’s run raises £1,800 for spinal fund

In April 2013, myself, my sister and my brother-in-law took part in the Virgin London Marathon.

I’m Michael Smith and my dad, Christopher, has suffered from spinal injuries for as long as I can remember so my choice of charity was Spinal Research.

In order to take part in the Marathon, I was set a target of £1,800. My dad has been a member of MUDSA for more than 10 years so he thought they may like to help me in raising my target.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the Manchester United foundation would be so kind as to donate a football signed by 30 first team players and even Sir Alex Ferguson.

I decided to host a charity disco at my local pub as well as a raffle for the Football. We sold raffle tickets for £2 with a large number of those coming from last season’s derby against Manchester City (a result I will not mention), where many members of MUDSA were hugely generous in buying a number of tickets.

The Manchester United ball and the charity disco raised an amazing £622, an amount I could never have achieved without the help of the Foundation.

Sadly, the ball was not won by a member of MUDSA, however, it did go to a devoted United fan from the midlands.

In total, I managed to raise £1,815.41 for Spinal Research UK — achieving my original target.

From coming to United matches with my dad since the age of five and seeing the brilliant work MUDSA do for people with disabilities, I am now planning to do next year’s Manchester Marathon to raise money for the Manchester United Disabled Supporters Association.

Michael Smith — a life-long Manchester United fan.