A BIG-HEARTED six-year-old put her best foot forward when she braved the treacherous weather conditions to run one mile alongside Olympic gold medallist Chris Boardman.

Nothing was going to get in the way of Chapelford Primary School pupil Holly McHugh reaching the finish line to raise funds for Children with Cancer UK.

Determined Holly, from Great Sankey, will run more than 26 miles over the next few months - completing one mile at a time at a number of different locations.

She will finish the final mile of her adventure alongside her mum, Sue, who will run beyond the finish line of this year’s London Marathon on Sunday, April 13.

Sue, aged 40, said: “I feel really emotional right now. I honestly couldn’t be prouder of Holly.

“Waking up to the wind and rain this morning was a big concern, but we had nothing to worry about. She did a great job.”

Despite the weather conspiring against Holly, she sprinted across the finish line at Media City in Salford to a roaring crowd, leaving former Olympic cyclist Chris behind.

The racing champion said Holly was nothing short of ‘amazing’ and praised her for her fundraising efforts.

“I think she was a bit over exuberant at the start and I thought she was going to need a rest in a minute but she actually got quicker. I think she was trying to force a gap,” joked Chris.

Holly has now completed her fifth one mile run, having already stepped up to the challege of keeping up with her mum, her nine-year-old brother Eddie, her friend Mia Penny and friends Sam and Charlie Jones.

She has also continued to improve on her personal best time, running the mile in 11 minutes and 26 seconds.

“The first time she did it, it took her 14 minutes. She’s getting quicker each time,” said Sue.

Holly will complete the challenge in mid-April alongside her mum where they will run beyond the finish line near Buckingham Palace.

To donate, visit: virginmoneygiving.com/team/TheLondonMarathon2014.