BOUNDING alongside her mum, mini marathoner Holly McHugh looks as though she will be taking the final stage of her 26.2 mile challenge in her stride this weekend.

The six-year-old fundraiser was joined by Warrington Wolves player Richie Myler, wife and former Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton and teammate Michael Monaghan for the 23rd mile of her mission to copy her mum’s marathon efforts one mile at a time.

Mum Sue, from Great Sankey, will be taking on her third London Marathon on Sunday raising cash for Children with Cancer UK and will be running beyond the finish line so Holly can complete her adventure alongside her mum.

Newly weds Richie and Helen, who now live in Stockton Heath, said they were delighted to support the courageous youngster with her challenge.

The Warrington scrum half said: “My friend told me what Holly had been doing and I thought it was amazing but then when I found out she was six I thought it was pretty incredible.

“We’re both in awe of Holly after running with her today.”

Helen, who will be presenting BBC’s highlights programme from the marathon, added the Chapelford Village Primary pupil was ‘inspirational’.

She said: “Holly was the pace-setter and kept talking all the way around.

“It doesn’t matter how quickly you can run a marathon as long as you can keep smiling all the way and that’s what Holly did today.

“She told me her running tip was to think about the finishing line and I told her she should eat as many jelly babies as she can!”

Mum Sue, aged 41, said she was very proud Holly had nearly completed the challenge.

She added: “I thought she might get six miles in and want to do something else but she’s carried on and has got a good understanding of why we’re doing it which is really rewarding.

“It’s a cause that’s struck a chord with me having two children and I know it’s going to be an emotional day on Sunday.”

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