A group of fundraisers are taking on a range of challenges to raise thousands of pounds for the family of a little girl who was killed in a freak accident.

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

The eight-year-old was on a walk with her grandparents, great aunt, siblings and dogs in the woods near Parsonage Lane at around midday on August 21 when tragedy struck.

She was hit on the head by a falling tree and died at the scene, while her younger sister Isla was taken to Kings College Hospital with serious head injuries.

Her brother William was only left with some scratches after the incident.

Following the tragic accident more than £28,000 in donations was raised for the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance, the children’s ICU at King’s College Hospital and the Rhys Daniels charity, which put the family up in a flat nearby while Isla was receiving treatment.

But now friends and colleagues are trying to generate £6,000 for Maisy’s family themselves.

Organiser Danielle Stratton said: “All of the fundraisers know Maisy’s mum Nicole in some capacity, and we were all devastated to hear of the tragic incident in which Maisy lost her life, and Isla suffered serious injuries.

“The family have raised a huge amount of money for other charities who assisted them at their time of need.

“The people helping fundraise felt that it was really important to provide some support to them and show them that they are in our thoughts.

“More importantly because the loss of a child brings so much pain, we wanted to give the family something to help them through the coming months and try and ease some worries that they may face.”

The group of fundraisers, whose ages range from 23 to 48, are attempting to walk or run a certain amount of miles in a month.

Kala Bassant and Carl John are aiming for 100 miles in February, similar to Mat Noon who completed the feat last Wednesday, which included a chilly mile wearing duck shorts in the snowy conditions earlier this month.

Adam Grant aimed to complete 150 miles by the end of February but has exceeded that target and is now currently on 170.

While Adam Malik and Royston Griffiths are still battling on their journey to clock up 20 miles before March 1.

Dave Clarke also has his eyes set on 200 miles, but he had many eyes set on him when he sported a Borat-style mankini for one mile of his run through Rainham, along the A2.

Danielle added: “We’re in our last week of the challenge and would really appreciate any support to help us to our target.”

You can donate here.

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