Girl with leukaemia at finish line of 'aquathalon'

Ellawyn, 11, completed the challenge for her best friend Annie

An 11-year-old girl from Cornwall who completed a three-day physical challenge was greeted at the finish line by her best friend, for whom she was fundraising.

Ellawyn has raised more than £10,000 for Annie, who has T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a rare blood cancer that is fast-growing and starts in the bone marrow before spreading.

The 11-year-old had the idea to paddleboard from Hayle Beach to Gwithian, swim to Godrevy and run from Godrevy back to Hayle, and repeat the challenge over three consecutive days.

She said she saw her best friend near the finish line: "I looked up and saw Annie and I couldn't believe it... it was amazing."

Ellawyn said that the challenge was "really fun"

Ellawyn, from Connor Downs, said the challenge - which she called an "aquathalon" - was "fun, tiring and very long".

She completed it on 14 August and added: "I struggled a bit towards the end of my swim but other than that it was really fun."

Her father Dan said: "What she did, she did it each day for three days and that's quite a difficult feat for a fit athlete, let alone an 11-year-old girl."

When Ellawyn finished, she said: "[Annie] said well done, she [said] she was really proud of me and she can't believe I did that."

A target of £500 was initially set by Ellawyn to buy Annie some craft materials and art lessons.

The fundraiser has raised more than £10,000.