A SIX year old Newtown girl has undertaken a 200 mile cycling challenge to raise money for a children’s hospice, to thank them for helping to care for her big sister.

Gracie Knowles is pedalling her little legs off alongside her dad Chris on cycle paths near her home. So far she has raised a staggering £1,800.

Gracie’s sister Lily, who is now 10, was born with a life threatening condition and has been visiting Hope House at Oswestry for respite care for eight years.

The hospice also provides sibling support to Gracie and her younger sisters Erin, three, and Emilie, two.

Mum Vicky says Hope House is a lifeline and the staff at the hospice have become part of their extended family.

She said: “Lily’s respite at Hope House enables us to catch up on some much needed sleep and allows us to do the things with her three sisters that aren’t possible with Lily.

“They once had Lily to stay for two weeks while her baby sister was in hospital with meningitis. Their crisis care is always there, so they are an absolute lifeline to us and many other families.”

Gracie, who is a pupil at Penygloddfa Primary School, also loves visiting Hope House.

She said: “I love to play with the toys in Hope House.

“We miss Lil when she stays at Hope house but we get to spend lots of time with mummy and daddy.”

Gracie set her goal during the lockdown at 100 miles for June and got cycling.

When she smashed the 100 mile mark she decided to set herself a 200 mile goal.

“She has really enjoyed the challenge and has been keen to get going whatever the weather,” added Vicky.

“We would just like to say a huge thank you to all the family and friends who have sponsored Gracie, including my best friend Leri Lane who has also ran a 50 Mile Lock Down Challenge and raised another £480 for Hope House.”

You can sponsor Gracie at: https://www.facebook.com/donate/310656353434011/ and can find out more about Leri’s fundraising challenge at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/leri-lane50junelockdown.