A SOUTH Lakeland girl raised thousands of pounds for charity to support her grandmother only days before she passed away.

Eight-year-old Sky Read, from Milnthorpe, came up with the idea of raising £200 for Cancer Research and Macmillan by walking from Milnthorpe to Arnside and back.

The thoughtful youngster wanted to show her support to her 'best friend', her grandmother Sally Read.

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"I saw someone raising money for Cancer Research outside ASDA, and I asked my mum could I do something to raise money for them, and she said I could. I thought about doing a walk," she said.

"I was nervous about doing it, but also proud because I was raising money for Cancer Research."

Sky's fundraising target has rocketed, and she has raised more than £2,350 from online donations, sponsorship forms and from passers-by touched by her generosity.

"I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who supported me and sponsored me," Sky said. "I loved the walk, and I'm very proud of what I've achieved."

Wearing a t-shirt that said: 'I am walking to raise funds for Cancer Research and Macmillan because my nan is poorly, and I love her,' Sky took up her epic seven-mile trek in fair weather accompanied by her family.

The 'Team Sky' tops worn by family members were donated by Love Logos in Milnthorpe.

"Everything went really well, Sky really enjoyed the walk even though it was a lot to walk in one day. She didn't get tired at all," Sky's mother Leanne Waddington said. "I'm really proud of her, she's such a grown up girl. She probably wants to do something again soon to raise money."

Unfortunately her nan was too poorly to be there on the day of the walk, but Sky was able to tell her all about it afterwards.

Sadly, Sky's grandmother has since passed away.