A TEENAGER has raised more than £22,000 for cancer charities to thank the people who saved her life.

Tabitha Wood, who was diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer, has cycled 250 miles during the UK's hottest August bank holiday on record in aid of Leeds General Infirmary’s teenage cancer ward and Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Cancer Charity.

Tabitha, who had never ridden a bike on the road until June this year, was accompanied by her brother Ben and dad Adrian.

Her mum Sarah said: "They rode 250 miles in 31 degrees through to torrential rain. All three cyclists did really well, though the Derbyshire/Yorkshire hills were really tough.

"They set off from Charing Cross and after a shaky start with a temperamental sat nav and a puncture made it to the first stop before dark.

"We were all amazed at how kind people were - one of the camp sites gave us our money back for the Lifecycle fund, and a lady parked next to us in a car park donated. We smashed the target of £10,000 including £500 from an Ilkley business Pi healthcare to stand at just over £22,000."

She added: "Tabby's London oncologist Prof Michael Seckl saw them off from Charing Cross and her Leeds oncologist Dr Simone Wilkins welcomed them into LGI. Tabs said she was so happy to be able to pay it forward after all that had been done to help her when she needed it."

Tabitha, from Burley in Wharfedale, was just 13 when her cancer was diagnosed in September 2017. She underwent life-saving surgery within a week

Sarah said: "After a difficult time she is now checked with MRI, blood tests and X-rays every two months but is back at school and wants to give back to the people that saved her life."

Despite not being experienced cyclists Tabitha and her family completed the ride in just six days.The family have set up a facebook page - The Wood family lifecycle.