A reporter whose daughter was hospitalised at Christmas har raised hundreds of pounds to help children going through the same thing this year.

Leanne Woodruff, who works at the Gloucestershire Gazette series, is running 100km to raise funds to buy gifts for children who will be spending Christmas in Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Leanne, pictured, decided to take up the challenge after her own daughter Livie was admitted to BCH at Christmas time three years ago.

The mother-of-four is running a 5k on 20 days this month and so far she has raised £520.

Explaining her inspiration, Leanne told the Gazette: “[Livie] had pneumonia and her lung collapsed.

“And there was a little boy in the room next door who was there all day, every day on his own because his mum had to go to work.

“His mum would come in in the evening to be with him. But the nurses said she had no choice – she would lose their home if she didn’t work.

“One day the nurses brought round advent calendars that a family had donated and the little boy was literally over the moon.

“So I know first hand what the reaction is of the children when they get just something little from someone.”

Leanne has thrown fundraising Christmas parties for children in 2018 and 2019, but took up the running challenge due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Livie has joined her on two of her 5k runs so far.

Leanne added: “It’s no hardship to me to run every day- I ache a bit – but those poor little souls are there every day.

“If I can just help a bit, I will.”

To donate to Leanne’s cause, click here.