A BORDERS schoolgirl has pedalled her way through a gruelling 210 miles to raise money for a charity that supported her family.

Ten-year-old Gabriela Hamza, of Peebles, was crowned a Tour de Little France charity champion after raising £533 for the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital.

Just like the world-famous 2,102 mile long elite challenge, the grand depart took place on Saturday, June 16.

Participants were given three weeks to complete the challenge – but Gabriela proved she had the stamina of Tour De France cyclists and completed it in just two weeks.

Big-hearted Gabriela was inspired to take on the sponsored cycle as the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital means a great deal to her family.

Speaking to the Peeblesshire News this week, her mum Lesley said: “Gabriela’s big sister spent a lot of time there when she was born and our family benefited greatly from the support the charity provided.

“Gabriela felt that it was important to help other families benefit as hers had done and that it would also be a great way to spend the holidays outdoors.”

With the family going on holiday during the third week of the challenge, a determined Gabriela had just two weeks to finish the sponsored event.

And she didn’t need to travel to France for it, she completed the 210.2 miles on home soil.

“She went out every day, sometimes twice or thrice to get the miles in, averaging about 15 miles a day even when she was tired,” said Lesley.

“As people donated, she was more and more determined to complete the challenge, cycling to Innerleithen, Walkerburn, round Cademuir and various other local routes.”

The charity launched the event to support Edinburgh Children’s Hospital in its new home at Little France.

And thanks to the efforts of people like Gabriela, the current fundraising total is sitting at £4,208.

The Halyrude Primary School pupil is delighted with the amount she raised.

“I really feel that the charity deserves as much support as possible because they have helped so many families in the past and so many families will need it in the future,” she said.

“I wanted to challenge myself to do something different and cycling 210 miles is tough.”

The youngster saddled up every day with the memories of how the charity helped her family, which drove her to see the challenge through to the end.

She said: “I have never done anything like this before, especially not cycling so far every day for two weeks.

“What kept me going was the thought that so many people had donated and were encouraging me to complete the miles, I didn’t want to let them, or the charity down.”

Mum Lesley and Dad Genci say they are very proud of what their daughter has achieved.

After pedalling that last mile to the finish, the Tour de Little France cyclist said: “When I finished my last cycle, I was so happy and proud. My legs ached but it was all worth it.”