On Monday 22nd May 2017 Martin Hibbert and his daughter were enjoying what should have been a happy and memorable night at a concert. Unfortunately the night turned into tragedy due to a selfish act of terrorism.

Martin and his daughter were just 10 metres away from the bomb when it was detonated. Martin suffered 22 shrapnel wounds with the majority of the metal fragments ( nails, nuts and bolts) entering his back and buttocks. Despite him trying to shield his daughter she suffered a significant head injury.

4 fragments hit Martins right foot shattering his ankle, one piece penetrated his left bicep leaving a golf ball sized hole from which he lost a lot of blood. A metal nut hit his neck and severed his jugular vein completely and partially ruptured his carotid artery. He lost his entire blood volume at the scene and had to have over 16 pints transfused before he reached the intensive care unit.

Due to a metal item embedded in his spinal cord, Martin is paralysed from the waist down meaning he will be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. On finding out he was paralysed Martin said ;

" When I found out I'd be paralysed for the rest of my life, I didn't cry. I wasn't angry. My daughter was alive. I was alive. It was a case of, we've got that out of the way- what next? "

Despite not doing much running for the last few years I made the desicion to complete the Manchester half marathon on Sunday 15th October to raise money to help this truly inspirational man and his daughter move on with their lives.

The training schedule is tough and the thought of running 13.1 miles makes me feel a bit sick but it's absolutely nothing compared to what this family and other families affected by this tragedy have gone through so please give generously!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

Michele xxx