A NOVICE cyclist from Salisbury has raised almost £4,000 for Child Bereavement UK in memory of her daughter.

Abigail Hooper took on a 130- mile west coast to east coast challenge to raise money in memory of Gwen, who died in 2011.

Gwen was born at Salisbury District Hospital on April 8, 2011, but her heart had stopped shortly before delivery.

A team of doctors managed to restart her heart after 20 minutes and she was then transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at Southampton’s Princess Anne Hospital so she could have brain-cooling treatment to help control the damage done by the lack of oxygen.

But Gwen didn’t respond to treatment and the extensive damage could not be reversed, so the decision was made to take her off the ventilation machine.

Mrs Hooper was met at the finish line, in Tynemouth, by her husband Richard and their daughter, one-year-old Carys.

“The ride was fab though mostly very wet and soggy,” said Mrs Hooper. “The training really paid off and I was able to keep the legs spinning up those hills.”

She has so far raised £3,790 of her £4,000 target for the charity.

She said: “No one can take away the pain of grief and separation, but the wonderful charity Child Bereavement UK can provide truly practical support at this terrible time and in the weeks, months and years of rebuilding that follow.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/cycleforgwen.