A SPORTS-MAD youngster is raising over £1,200 for the NHS by embarking on a 20-mile cycling challenge around Culcheth.

Freya Booth, 7, will set off on Saturday and complete two laps of a route from Culcheth to Newton-Le-Willows and then Winwick – all alongside dad Arron.

Freya, who dances, swims, and does gymnastics, was chatting to her mum Helen when she came up with the idea. Having already run 5K to raise £5, and donated her birthday money from family, Freya wanted to go one step further.

Helen said: “I’m totally overwhelmed, everybody’s supporting her and it’s just amazing.

“[Freya’s] asking all the time, ‘What are we up to?!’, and to her £100 is a lot of money – so when you tell her it’s more than one lot of £100 she can’t believe it. She’s just beaming, constantly.”

The Booths have also felt the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic very close to home, with the passing of Freya’s much-loved great-grandmother.

Whilst the family have gone through a difficult time recently, Freya has the support of countless friends, neighbours, and family members willing her on as she takes up the challenge.

Helen added: “There’s loads of people coming to [socially-distance] support her at the finish line. Some of the neighbours have made a finish line, one of her teachers is putting a balloon wall outside her house.

“Her friends have sent her letters and cards through the doors. Everybody’s on board.”