Girl who helped sick best friend in line for award

Sophia (l) has been undergoing chemotherapy for two years and best friend Alice wanted her to have a holiday to look forward to

An eight-year-old girl has been nominated for a fundraising award after a walking challenge to pay for her ill best friend to go to Disneyland Paris.

Alice, from Essington near Wolverhampton, decided to walk 369 miles, the equivalent distance from best friend Sophia's home to Paris, as a treat for her when she finishes chemotherapy for a brain tumour.

She hoped to raised £200 from her feat during April and May this year but smashed the total, raising £1,745.

Her efforts have seen her named as a finalist in the Rising Star category in this year's JustGiving Awards, the fundraising charity said.

Sophia has been undergoing chemotherapy for the past two years to treat the tumour.

Knowing how much she had endured, Alice wanted her to be able to celebrate once she finished the treatment so set about raising money for a special holiday for her - and the first proper holiday she has ever experienced.

She began her challenge on 14 April and finished on 26 May when she finally put in enough steps to reach her target of almost 370 miles.

Alice said: "My best friend is the most wonderful person in the world.

"She's always so kind and makes me laugh. I wanted to do something really special for her after everything she's been through.

"I hope this will help her have the most amazing time at Disneyland, because she's always so brave."

The best friends love to play together and and watch television with tea and biscuits

Alice's mother Claire said she was really proud of her daughter and what she achieved.

"She would get up early and walk before school and after school and at her auntie's in Wales and she walked up The Wrekin," she said.

"Soph was very excited for Disneyland and managed a little walk with her round the block too.

"I'm very proud of her. She's really a kind girl and she does love Soph."

The family shared her fundraising page with friends, work colleagues and clients which all helped the total get so high, Claire said.

Once Sophia has completely finished her treatment, her mother, father and sister will book the trip to Disneyland. The family said they were "incredibly grateful" to Alice for her kindness and hard work.

Alice was among 20 finalists after more than 18,000 nominations from the public were made, the charity said.

Pascale Harvie, president and general manager of JustGiving, said more than £7bn had been raised for goof causes through the organisation in 25 years and the awards "shine a light on those extraordinary individuals whose courage, compassion and commitment inspire us all".

"Alice's story is truly heart-warming. Her determination to raise money for her incredibly brave best friend, Sophia, is nothing short of inspirational," he added.

The winners, also chosen by the public, will be announced in the coming weeks after voting closed on 31 August.