KIND-HEARTED runners have raised £2,000 for a schoolgirl who underwent life-changing surgery earlier this year.

Dunbar Running Club held its annual 10k race recently, with profits and money raised at a bake sale going to Macy Robertson.

The Dunbar youngster, who underwent an eight-hour operation in the USA in January, was on hand to present the tired runners with their medals and goody bags after they crossed the finish line.

A total of 168 runners took part in the race.

Macy was diagnosed with scoliosis – an abnormal twisting and curvature of the spine – four years ago and previously had to wear a special brace for up to 20 hours a day.

The operation, at the Institute for Spine and Scoliosis in New Jersey, saw screws attached to the affected vertebrae and then to a flexible cord to pull the spine into a straighter position.

The family needed to raise in the region of £150,000 to fund the trip to the USA and pay for the treatment.

Macy’s mum Nicky was pleased to say that her 10-year-old daughter was on the road to recovery and thanked the running club for coming up with the idea of donating the proceeds.

She told the Courier: “She had a great time [at the run] and she really enjoyed it.

“It is more than eight weeks since the operation and she is doing really well.

“She is nearly at school full-time now and she is out on her bike or scooter every day and she is cartwheeling around the house.

“She is back to her normal self. She is still quite emotional and sad about the fact she cannot participate fully in her activities yet but that will come.

“At least the operation will allow her to do that.”

A bake sale on the day of the run raised more than £100, with the remaining money coming from runners signing up for the race.

Ahead of the operation, members of the public from East Lothian and beyond joined forces to help raise the six-figure sum.

Among the generous donations was more than £1,000 from a party held by Vicky Richardson, from Fenton Barns Nursery.

Nicky, who works for East Lothian Council as a senior housing strategy officer, said: “The funds are still going – it is really kind of people to keep helping us out in this way.”

Currently, generous residents have collected more than £122,000.

To make a donation, go to www.gofundme.com/fund-spine-surgery-for-macy