Two nine-year-old girls took on a fundraising challenge to raise thousands of pounds for an “incredible” hospital ward following the tragic death of their best friend.

Maisy Mayne, eight, from Sittingbourne, died after she was hit by a falling tree in woodland near Bobbing last August when strong winds affected the county.

Meanwhile, her younger sister Isla was taken to London’s King’s College Hospital with serious head injuries.

Maisy’s best friends, Isabel Godden and Amalie Day, wanted to raise as much money as possible for the Lion Ward at Kings College Hospital, where Isla was looked after during her recovery from brain surgery following the freak accident.

The girls, who are both pupils at Tunstall School, skipped with ropes around Sittingbourne for five kilometres on Saturday.

They started at the top of Crossways and went around Eden Village, before finishing at the Appleyard in 57 minutes.

The girls’ mums, Clare and Karen, said they were proud of the girls, who have so far raised more than £2,500 for the ward.

Clare said: “The ward nurses and staff were amazing to the family, and Amalie and Isabel wanted to pay tribute to that.

“They spent over five weeks training, to ultimately skip 5k with skipping ropes, in the hope of raising funds for this amazing and supportive ward.

“On Saturday, it was hot and hard work but, with the help of local supporters including other parents, TAs from the school, representatives from the PTA and class teachers, they smashed it.

“Everyone is so proud of what the girls have achieved but, most importantly, the money they have raised for this important ward at the incredible Kings College Hospital.”

Karen added: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has donated, supported and cheered on the girls.”

The fundraising page accepts donations until Monday, May 24. To support the girls, click here.

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