SHE wanted to thank the charity that supported her family through its darkest days. Now Basingstoke mum Lynsey Walter has done that after taking part in a rowing challenge.

The 31-year-old from Winklebury rowed 31 miles from Lincoln to Boston to raise funds for Starlight Children’s Foundation, after it granted the wish of her five-year-old daughter Amelia.

Amelia was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia when she was nine months old and had to undergo an intensive course of chemotherapy.

She spent two years having treatment but has been in remission since.

When Amelia was unwell, Lynsey contacted Starlight, a UK charity which grants wishes for children with serious and terminal illnesses, to ask for a wish to be granted for her daughter.

Amelia was told that she could wish for anything in the world, and she asked to visit Disneyland Castle and meet Cinderella, her favourite princess.

Her wish was granted in March this year, and Lynsey said: “We were blown away by the trip, every detail had been thought of and catered for. When Amelia met Cinderella it was truly magical. The whole weekend was amazing and also very emotional.”

Lynsey, who also has a three-year-old son called Stanley, decided to give something back to Starlight to thank the charity for the trip, and took part in the Boston Rowing Marathon, winning the Women’s Novice Doubles, beating three other crews.

She has so far raised an incredible £1,400 with the help of three other crews.

To donate visit justgiving.com/pairgowild.