A FOOTBALL fan who has dedicated the last six years to running met up with Fabrice Muamba before he took part in the BUPA Great Manchester Run in his beloved Hartlepool United colours.

Paul Smith was one of the representatives running on behalf of each of the 92 Football League and Premier League clubs raising money for the former footballer’s ‘Hearts and Goals’ campaign.

The ‘Run For Muamba’ theme was prevalent throughout the day in Manchester as the former Bolton Wanderers player acted as the honorary starter for the annual 10k event which attracted over 40,000 runners.

The ‘Hearts and Goals’ campaign was set-up to help place defibrillators in communities and race organisers Nova recruited a runner from each football club to show solidarity for Muamba and his charity.

Mr Smith, a seasoned runner having completed a run every day since the start of 2007, breezed home in a solid time of 42:21 during which he was spotted numerous times on BBC’s live coverage.

People can back the campaign by texting ‘FABS25’ then the amount a person would like to pledge to 70070.