ELEVEN-year-old Derker girl Keira Arnold has raised more than £13,000 for Dr Kershaw's Hospice in memory of her father Stephen, who died in there when she was aged just four.

Keira now holds the national volunteer fundraising award and special regional award, presented to her by the mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.

In August last year, Keira - fan of Oldham RL Club - raised £210 by selling raffle tickets at a home match against Whitehaven. Fans dug deep to boost "Keira's Wishes", the fund set up by the hospice in which everything raised by Keira helps terminally ill patients fulfil their final wish.

Keira is continuing to work hard on raising money for the hospice and her fund will be boosted soon by the proceeds of a sponsored walk by Roughyeds fan Chris Saxon and his daughter Tora, who are aiming to complete the 177 miles of the Offa's Dyke Trail from Chepstow to Prestatyn.

It includes three hill ranges and covers a lot of tough terrain, but Chris and Tora hope to complete the trek between April 27 and May 11, with all funds raised going to Dr Kershaw's and to Keira's Wishes in particular thanks to their great regard for the "inspirational young lady from Derker".

Chris said: "She is truly inspirational. We chose Dr Kershaw's (to be the beneficiary of their sponsored walk) purely because of Keira's Wishes. The effort she puts into her fund-raising would be admirable in anyone, let alone in one who is so young.

"How could we not lend a helping hand to this amazing young lady."

To find out more about the sponsored walk, or to make a donation, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-and-tora