A CHARITY named after an 11-year-old Southampton girl who died of cancer has been awarded a helpful grant.

Abby's Heroes works with cancer patients being treated on the Piam Brown and Teenagers and Young Adults (TYA) wards at University Hospital Southampton.

After a nomination from Alex Green, AkzoNobel Area sales manager for the south of England, the charity was awarded £1,000 from the True Colours Community Fund.

It will go towards the charity’s new project, ‘Cheer-up’ welfare boxes, for those that have been on the ward for weeks, missing family, friends and attending social events.

“It's just an incredible gift,” said founder Sally Randall.

“With a local charity, we can direct every single penny to exactly what we want to do and it’ll have such a big impact. Receiving £1,000 makes me jump up and down with excitement.”

Alex Green, from Southampton, met Sally during a cycling event in aid of Abby’s Heroes in 2017 - and has been an active fundraiser for the charity ever since.

“One of Abby’s favorite places was Disneyland Paris, so we decided to cycle from Southampton to Disneyland Paris to get there on the day of her birthday,” said Alex.

“The first birthday after she died, 12 of us travelled 350 miles over a four-day period and raised the best part of £30,000.

“It was really moving to hear her explain exactly where the money is going and that’s why we support it."