A TEENAGER is set to get on her bike to say thank you to the hospital staff which supported her.

Elizabeth Worsfold, 15 from Chineham will embark on a 5km bike ride in a bid to raise funds for the Charlies Day Unit (CDU) at Basingstoke hospital.

For the past four years, Elizabeth has attended the CDU, which aims to minimise time spent in hospital and the number of children admitted to the ward by providing a rapid access to assessment.

Having undergone numerous blood tests, MRI scans and ultrasounds, Elizabeth has seen first hand how hard the staff work and so the Vyne Community School pupil wanted to do something to give back to the unit.

She said: “I decided to do what I could to help in some small way to raise funds for that unit.

“So, I have signed up to take part in the Farnborough Twilight Race. Instead of running the 5km as I have previously done, I will be cycling.

“I am suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome so get tired very easily. Cycling seemed an appropriate way of covering the distance without exhausting myself.”

Elizabeth will take part in the event, at which participants are invited to walk, run, cycle, hop or skip the route, on Saturday.

She aims to raise funds for the CDU, in particular to help replenish stocks of toys and help brighten up the ward.

She added: “I noticed how very busy they were and that how compassionate they were with all of the children, most of which were extremely distressed. Nothing was too much of a problem

“I noticed the need to constantly replace suitable toys and to brighten up the waiting and treatment rooms.

“Play specialists play an important part, especially with younger children, so much so that is a career I now would like to follow.”

To support Elizabeth with her fundraising, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/elizabeth-worsfold.