A Ramsgate father has faced his ultimate fear to raise money for his disabled daughter.

Devoted dad Keven Gabriel contacted Wildwood Trust wildlife park in a bid to boost his fundraising efforts for his 13-year-old daughter Eleanor, who suffers from muscular dystrophy.

After watching Eleanor battle bravely with the condition her whole life, Keven decided to match her courage and face his biggest fear – bees.

Keven, who believes his phobia stems from being stung as a child, has been afraid of bees for as long as he can remember but, inspired by his daughter, he decided to raise money through sponsorship while facing his ultimate challenge.

Staff at Wildwood Trust invited him to become a beekeeper for a day and, under the watchful eye of the park’s resident beekeeper, John Holmes, Keven faced his fears by opening the hives to carry out a range of checks among tens of thousands of resident bees.

Keven said: “Eleanor has been so brave throughout her life and has faced so many challenges.

“What I did today was terrifying but it does not compare to Eleanor’s bravery.”

The teenager is wheelchair-bound due to her condition, which causes progressive weakening and wasting of the muscles. Her hips have become dislocated and she is in constant pain.

Her only option for exercise and pain relief is hydrotherapy but a lack of accessible facilities means the family are aiming to build their own hydrotherapy pool to allow her the minimum of four sessions a week that her doctors recommend.

The pool would also benefit Eleanor’s mother Zara, who also has muscular dystrophy, and her brother Daniel, who is autistic.

Keven’s day at Wildwood raised £500, bringing the total so far to £2,500. A further £2,000 is needed to complete the project.

Wildwood’s trusts and foundations manager, Jo Sage, said: “We were delighted to help Keven and are thrilled at the money that has been raised.”

To donate to Eleanor’s cause, visit www.gofundme.com/EllesAngels