A YOUNG girl from Poole has set herself the challenge of raising £800 in the eight days leading up to her birthday by completing 800 cartwheels.

Having been inspired by the handwork of frontline NHS staff and the fundraising efforts of Captain Tom Moore, Maya Welch felt moved to do her bit to raise money for NHS Charities Together by completing 100 cartwheels a day before her eighth birthday on Wednesday April 29.

After her first two days of cartwheeling, Maya has raised nearly £500 for the charity dedicated to supporting NHS staff and volunteers caring for Covid-19 patients.

She said: “‘I have never really heard of the NHS before this epidemic and began asking more and more questions after clapping each Thursday, hearing bits of news and doing Joe Wicks work outs.

“The idea of my own challenge came from hearing Captain Tom’s story. I felt so inspired by him that I wanted to do the something too that challenged me too.

"I felt nervous before starting the challenge because I’ve never done anything like this before, I’ve only just learnt how to do cartwheels."

After only a few hours after setting up her crowdfunding page she had already raised £300, and after completing her first day of her challenge, she had amassed £440.

Maya added: “I was screaming and jumping up and down when mummy told me how much I’d raised £440 in just one day! I think people must love cartwheels and helping the NHS like me!

“Every time mummy’s phone pinged with a message, we all got really excited seeing everyone’s donations and the lovely messages they were leaving for me.”

To donate to Maya's fundraiser, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/maya-welch.