Whalley schoolgirl (8) takes on mammoth 100-mile bike ride for veterans

Eight-year-old Isabella Brannigan had only been riding a bike for a month when she decided to set herself the task of cycling 100 miles along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

Isabella began her journey at the beginning of the month alongside her granddad and has so far braved all weathers and successfully cycled over 50 miles raising an impressive £850.

Her proud parents, Craig and Kelly, explained Isabella's reasons behind the challenge. They said: "She previously tended to two war graves, affectionately recalled as 'Fred and Harry,’ but due to work commitments could no longer get there. Charities are struggling this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and it's tougher than ever for the Royal British Legion so Isabella wanted to raise vital funds for the worthwhile cause and to help as many veterans as possible with this challenging ride.

"She is undertaking the ride on Sundays through the month of November and with the weather worsening day by day this is no mean feat.

"She began with a modest, but uncertain target of £100, but just hours after going live with the pages and sponsor forms she smashed through that barrier."

They added: "Isabella completed the second leg of her ride on Sunday. She managed to get to the Liverpool end of the Leeds - Liverpool canal. She rode another 25.8 miles so her cumulative total stands at 53.65 miles so she is now over halfway through her target. Incredibly, we raised over £400 alone on Sunday, so she currently stands at £850 online donations and it would be amazing if she could hit her target of £1,000."

Anyone wishing to support Isabella and donate towards her goal is asked to click here