A team of cyclists from St Albans has raised nearly £20,000 for a six-year-old battling a genetic condition.
Bessie Davis was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (NF1) last year, which causes tumours to grow along the nerves.
Within weeks of an MRI revealing brain tumours and optic nerve tumours, she had deteriorated from having mild symptoms like pins and needles in her arm, to being unable to get out of bed, falling over all the time and ultimately being confined to a wheelchair.
Bessie was referred to Great Ormond Street Hospital where she immediately began a gruelling 18 month course of chemotherapy and physiotherapy.
Daniel Sizer, 35, who lives across the road from Bessie in Ladysmith Road, was so impressed by his little neighbour’s incredible bravery that he vowed to join her uncle to bike 250 miles to raise money for Great Ormond Street and the Neuro Foundation.
The ride was the brainchild of Bessie’s uncle, David Orchard, and saw David, Daniel, a family cousin and two other friends undertake the long journey from Bessie’s mum’s home town of Plymouth all the way to St Albans on just two wheels.
It was a hero's welcome at Alban City School on Sunday when four men finally arrived after the gruelling four day challenge.
Bessie pictured with St Albans' Parliamentary candidates Anne Main, Kerry Pollard and Sandy Walkington
Arriving in St Albans they were greeted at a Grand Finish Fete in Bessie’s school playground by the Mayor of St Albans Geoff Harrisson and Bessie herself, as well as her family and hundreds of other friends and supporters.
Receiving a medal made by Bessie for the riders, and presented by the Mayor to honour their massive achievement, David Orchard, said: "It was wonderful to cross the finishing line to such a fantastic reception and most importantly to see Bessie herself. She’s such an inspiration to us all."
Between the fete and the bike ride Bessie's family and friends have raised £19,000.
Bessie's dad, Mike Davis, said: "Bessie’s Uncle David, or Dudu as she calls him, and all the other riders have done a phenomenal job in raising money for these two charities which have become so important to our family over the last few months.
"Between the bike ride and Sunday’s Grand Finish Fete we are thrilled to have raised a phenomenal £19,000. It’s tantalisingly close to our dream of getting to the magic £20,000 so we hope people will continue to donate over the coming days, recognising the fantastic achievement of an amazing group of guys."
To donate, click here. Follow the progress on Twitter via: @FollowBessie.
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