Award-winning eight-year-old Leeds girl urges 'go to your cancer check-ups' as she treks through snow after granddad's fourth diagnosis

Mollie Horner, aged eight, walked 20 miles in the snow last weekend in honour of her granddad's fourth cancer diagnosis.

She braved the weather for her trek in an 'M' shape for Macmillian Cancer Support.

Her grandad received his diagnosis before Christmas after being in remission for four months and was given injections to treat blood clots when he took unwell.

However, he was checked regularly and new tumours were then found on his lung.

Mollie said, “Please people remember to go to your cancer check-ups.

"My grandad is lucky - not everyone is.”

After his third diagnosis at the beginning of the pandemic, Mollie raised over £500 for Macmillan and Cancer Research UK by making face coverings during lockdown after her desire to ‘pay for granddad’s medicine to make him better’ wasn’t possible.

--> Leeds granddad's fourth cancer diagnosis leads eight-year-old girl to take on second charity fundraiser this year

Her recent fundraising total for her walk surpassed an additional £500, after Mollie initially set out to raise £200 the second time round.

Her efforts throughout the summer holidays last year saw her win the ‘Leeds Lockdown Superhero’ award from the Light Shopping Centre and she was also nominated for a ‘Big Thank You’ award from the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Mollie’s mum, Kerry Horner, of Micklefield in Leeds, said: “Mollie is definitely an inspiration to others.

"Once hit with the sad news Mollie went straight into fundraising mode again.

"She set a target of £200 and is over the limit. She is a superstar and keeps us all going.

"We are so incredibly proud.”

Mollie's dad Kev spent a whole day mapping her 'M' shaped route to ensure it stays inline with Covid lockdown restrictions of only exercising locally.

She began in Woodlesford which is five minutes away from the Horner's Micklefield home.

Senior Relationship Fundraising Manager for Macmillan in Yorkshire, Stacey Rhodes, said, “Mollie continues to inspire those around her and has selflessly spent time fundraising in honour of her grandad.

“Her determination to continue to fundraise for people living with cancer is infectious and she has our heartfelt thanks and gratitude.

"It’s with thanks to the help of our wonderful supporters like Mollie that make sure cancer doesn’t become the ‘forgotten C’ during this pandemic.”

Donations can be made to Macmillan for Mollie's walk here.