Russell helps Kirsty shrug off illness

Kirsty Howard knows she has a friend she can lean on in singing star Russell Watson.

The charity champion, 13, was carried by the tenor after shrugging off gout and a chest infection to take part in a photoshoot on the Coronation Street set.

The pair launched a fundraising effort for the Great Manchester Run alongside Weatherfield stars Antony Cotton and Samia Smith, who are running in support of the Kirsty Club, which aims to expand Francis House Children’s Hospice, in Didsbury.

Russell will be encouraging runners at the start of each of the four waves of the race before running the 10k in support of Kirsty, who will lead the Junior Run in her motorised wheelchair.

Antony has been pounding the treadmill in training, while Samia is promising a special prize for a lucky sponsor. Samia said: “Kirsty is such an inspirational little girl so when she asks me to do something for her how can I refuse?”

Source: Manchester Evening News