AN eight-year-old girl cycled an amazing 17 miles to help diabetes sufferers and sick babies.

Gracie Lloyd, of Towyn, has almost tripled her target of £200 for the fundraiser, which saw her ride from Colwyn Bay to Prestatyn along the coastal cycle path.

Keen cyclist Gracie was inspired to take up the challenge after a friend at Ysgol Sant Elfod in Abergele, was diagnosed with type one diabetes.

She raised £561 for Diabetes UK and Glan Clwyd Hospital’s special care baby unit (SCBU).

Tom Lloyd, Gracie’s dad, said: “What can we say? Gracie continues to make us immensely proud with her beautiful and kind nature.

“Gracie is always riding her bike as she’s a very active child, and at such a young age, she thinks of others and wants to do her best to help them in any way she can."

“One of her best friends has type one [diabetes] and she just cares so much about babies so we have been collecting money through social media, family and friends and are up to a whopping £561 – smashing our target of £200.”

Gracie’s charitable nature was also featured in the Journal in January 2015 when aged just four, she raised £85 for the SCBU by making 150 loom bracelets, which she sold at her own stall at the Co-op in Old Colwyn.

Gracie was joined on her cycle ride by her dad, mum Michelle, younger brother Isaac, grandad Ian, aunt Millie and friend Liam.

Mr Lloyd added:”She is now already planning to do another event to raise even more money.”