WHEN Lily Christie got a new bike for Christmas last year her first thought was how she could use it to help her favourite charity.

The 10-year-old decided to take on the Pedal for Scotland challenge from Glasgow to Edinburgh for The Gate charity in Alloa. She roped in mum Judy, dad David and grandfather Jim Patterson to cycle with her.

She completed the ride on Saturday, September 10, cycling 50 miles in six hours with a few stops along the way.

Lily said: “It was quite far, the worst part was all the hills."

Even once she had completed the route she kept going as it was 46 miles, not the 50 she had been told, and some people had sponsored her a pound a mile for 50 miles.

She had aimed to raise £300 but instead raised over £2,000, an amount that will go a long way to helping people of Clackmannanshire.

Lily's family were involved with the charity and Lily has become well-known there since she started volunteering aged just six.

She said: “The best part of volunteering here is when I help other people who don't have as much as me."

Marie Brownhill is the centre manager and has nothing but praise for her youngest volunteer: “She's always coming up with ideas for fundraising. She organised a hop, skip and run last year and has sold loom bands."

The kind-hearted girl has managed to inspire some of her friends to get involved with fundraising too and the charity is thankful to their young supporters.

Marie decided the youngster deserved special recognition and got her a framed certificate of achievement and a bracelet to thank her for her efforts.

This year Lily helped out with the school uniform bank which was an eye-opening experience for her. She looked out school equipment and helped the younger ones pack their new pencil cases.

Others have been inspired by Lily to take up cycling.

Marie said: “We've got a volunteers and service users who have started to use bikes. They tie them to the pole so we need to get a bike rack, but it's a lot of money. The funds raised might possibly go towards that."

Lily doesn't mind what the money goes towards as long as it helps people.

Marie is already wondering what Lily will get up to next.

She added: “We're all very proud of her and appreciate it. I'm excited for the next challenge.”