Harrogate women cycle 2,000 miles for teenager’s surgery

Four women from the Harrogate district are cycling a total of 2,000 miles in a month to fundraise for a teenager’s life-changing surgery. 

Mia Wright, 14, who has scoliosis, which causes a severe curvature and rotation of the spine, was diagnosed when she was eight years old. She underwent surgery in Turkey in September, recovering well enough to go back to school last week. 

Susie Little, Mia’s godmother, set up a GoFundMe page last month to raise £60,000 for the spinal surgery.

Ms Little decided to take on her latest fundraising challenge of cycling 500 miles after reading about a similar fundraising initiative in The Stray Ferret.

To meet her target, Ms Little will add an extra mile to the distance each day to correspond with the date. For example, on October 1 she cycled one mile, on October 2 she cycled two miles, continuing to October 31 when she will ride 31 miles in a day. 

After hearing about her idea, friends Jude Humphrey and Emma Oates decided to get involved, shortly followed by Mia’s mother Jane. Together they’re aiming to raise £2,000 for the 2000 miles covered. 

Currently completing their miles on exercise bikes at home, the four women hope to celebrate their final day of fundraising by cycling together. 

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Speaking about what the surgery means to her, Ms Little said:

“I went to pick Jane and Mia up from the airport after the surgery. The difference in both of them was amazing, Mia could stand up straight for the first time, and she even cried last week when she put her jeans on after surgery for the first time because she was so happy.” 

Total donations for Mia’s surgery currently stand at £44,600. You can donate to Mia’s cause here. 

Harrogate teenagers’ 85km hike to help young dancer

Two Harrogate teenagers are set to embark on a 85 kilometre hike to raise money for life-changing surgery for a teenage dancer with scoliosis.

Mia Wright, 14, from Leeds, was diagnosed with the condition, which causes a severe curvature and rotation of the spine when she was eight years old.

Mia trains five times a week and has performed regularly in theatre productions. But her dream of becoming a professional dancer could be ruined unless she gets pioneering spine surgery.

Susie Little, Mia’s godmother, set up a GoFund me page to raise £60,000 for spinal surgery in Istanbul, Turkey, this month.

She wrote:

“Mia has been passionate about, and completely dedicated to dance in all its forms, all her life.  But, she has scoliosis, which until now has been treated with a back brace to try and hold the curves as she grows and goes through puberty.”

Billy Fox, 15, from Starbeck, who will embark on a hike of the Nidderdale Way.

Now, Billy Fox, 15. from Starbeck, and his friend Matt Ellmore, 15, from Jennyfields are set to embark on the Nidderdale Way, carrying their gear and camping equipment for the entire hike.

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The pair are hoping to complete the hike in three days and two nights, starting in Pateley Bridge on Sunday, with no adult assistance.

Susie said she was pleased when Billy suggested the idea last week.

She said:

“He is very determined and kind hearted and he wanted to do something to help.”

Donations for Mia’s surgery currently stand at £22,900. You can donate to Mia’s cause here.