Duo set to tackle Kilimanjaro to raise funds for The Christie

Mottram cricketer Michael Scott is set to climb Kilimanjaro in a bid to raise funds for The Christie.

Michael, who has previously played for Denton Cricket Club, will be joined on his mission by Laura Johnston.

The Christie is a charity close to Michael's heart as his father, Richard, has been under their care for the past nine years,

The pair initially set out to raise £950, but following a massive response from friends, family and the wider community, fundraising is currently at £1,760.

Richard was first diagnosed with Kidney cancer over eight years ago in November 2010 and was immediately sent to Christie to start treatment. The cancerous kidney was successfully removed and all seemed well. Unfortunately a year later there was more bad news, the kidney cancer had spread to his lungs and further treatment was needed on the mets (Metastasis). Dr Hawkins at the Christie decided to start two lots of very aggressive Interlukin 2 Immunotheraphy treatment that successfully reduced and controlled the cancer. 

Thanks to the work of The Christie, Richard went from very low chances of survival to five more years of living life to the full.  Quarterly scans and appointments kept things in check, along with some extremely expensive daily drugs, all thanks to the NHS. 

Sadly, in 2017 after one of the scheduled scans Bone cancer was found, followed by more serious Brain cancer in August 2018. Targeted radiotherapy was used successfully to laser the brain mets halting their growth. Despite this, Richard's quality of life slowly started to dwindle as a result of all the cancers, drugs, side effects and complications. He was no longer allowed to drive, would tire easily and had head rushes that caused the occasional fall. 

Richard has since been in and out of hospital, with varying complications culminating in the development of a chest infection leading to his move into Ward 11 at The Christie.

Those wishing to donate to the cause can do so via the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lauraandmikekili