Family of Knaresborough’s Rose Smiles to do charity hike

The family of the elderly lady who was hit by a car on Knaresborough High Street are raising money for the cause that saved her life.
NAKP-15-10-15-003 Rose Smiles sits in hospital still chirpy after her incidentNAKP-15-10-15-003 Rose Smiles sits in hospital still chirpy after her incident
NAKP-15-10-15-003 Rose Smiles sits in hospital still chirpy after her incident

Knaresborough’s Rose Smiles, 94, was saved by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) after the traumatic incident which left her needing a leg amputation.

Now 25 of her family members, who range in age from 11 to 65, will complete the infamous Three Peaks Challenge on April 23 2016.

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Ellie Priest, Rose’s granddaughter said: “As a family we are very much trying to make something positive out of this horrendous situation and for us, I feel this is a positive way to channel our emotion.”

The challenge will see them hike the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, covering a stretch of more than 4000 metres in under 12 hours.

Despite the hike not set to take place for another six months, the family have already raised a total of £800 towards their £5,000 target.

After the incident prompted a huge response from the Knaresborough community on social media, the family have also set up a Facebook page dedicated to the fund-raiser.

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Ellie Priest said: “We have had a few people say they are doing events to also raise money which is amazing, so we really want to get them involved on the page so they feel appreciated for their efforts by us.”

Knaresborough resident, Susan Dearlove went the extra mile by doing a sponsored sky dive in honour of Rose, also raising over £1,000 for charities Age UK and the YAA.

Rose has a large supportive family including 6 children and 9 grandchildren, with one of her sons even flying in from Minnesota the week of her incident.

Calling themselves ‘team Grandma Smiles’ the group have also started the hashtag #Miles4Smiles so anybody can share their support and involvement online.

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After undergoing a fourth procedure on Tuesday last week, Rose’s condition is much improved and it is hoped she will be out of hospital in three or four weeks.

Rose’s eldest daughter Maggie Maltby said: “We are really pleased with her we have really started to believe that she’s going to come through it.

“At the moment we hope to get her home for Christmas, we are hoping to get her back to where she was living before.

“She’s a lovely positive person, yesterday she said ‘I’ve got one and a half legs and I just have to get on with it’.”

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You can share your pictures and thoughts or show your support for the cause online by using the hashtag #Miles4Smiles or go to The Miles4Smiles Facebook page

Or to make a donation to a member of the team visit The Justgiving page