A MARATHON, 500 mile cycle ride from Germany to Andover has helped raise money for a little girl who lost her legs through disease.

When Dave Tasker, a manager from the Defence Logistics Organisation in Germany, heard about the plight of two-year-old Lydia Cross from Wiltshire on the British Forces Broadcasting Service, he decided to raise money for her needs.

Lydia had both legs amputated as a result of contracting haemophilus influenzae type b in October last year. Dave hopes to raise £3,000.

"The money raised will help towards supporting Lydia, but I know that any money I manage to raise will be just a drop in the ocean," he said. "The financial support needed for Lydia is enormous - I felt I must do something."