AN 11-year-old girl who was inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore raised more than £600 for hospitals in the region.

Lucy Bettley, from Ingleby Barwick, shares a birthday with Captain Tom and was determined to follow his example setting herself the challenge of running and exercising for two and a half hours every night in the early days of the lockdown..

After successfully completing her challenge Lucy exceeded her target of £50, thanks to her family and friends, and raised £650.

Using some of the money, she prepared two hampers of "goodies" for frontline workers and presented a £300 cheque to both the intensive care unit at The James Cook University Hospital and the University Hospital of North Tees’ orthopaedic outpatients.

She said: "It feels really good to be helping some of the NHS team. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication before, throughout and since lockdown 2020.

"I would also like to say a massive thank you to everyone who donated. I didn’t think I would get as much sponsorship as I did. Everyone inspired and pushed me through it."

Suzi Campbell, from South Tees Hospitals Charity, said: "I’m sure Captain Sir Tom Moore would agree with me when I say that Lucy has done an amazing job to raise money for both our trust and North Tees.

"We would like to say a huge thank you to Lucy and everyone who sponsored her. Our team in the intensive care unit were all thrilled."