The granddaughter of Arsenal legend Ian Allinson has raised nearly £6,000 for Garden House Hospice Care by cycling one mile a day.

Five-year-old Betty-Leigh Allinson, from Codicote, has already smashed her fundraising target of £500, and cycles each day wearing a different football shirt in honour of her granddad.

Betty is an Arsenal fan, and has accepted donated shirts from Stevenage FC, Watford and Borehamwood – but yesterday received the jewel in the crown: a signed shirt from David Beckham.

Betty has recently learnt to use her bike without stabilisers and it takes her about 20 minutes to complete the mile, all while cheered on by friends and family.

Her nanny, Jeanne Allinson, works as part of the fundraising team at Garden House Hospice, and Betty said she wanted to “help raise money” because “they have had to cancel all fundraising events and close the charity shops.”

“I’m going to wear my Arsenal kit for my granddad who used to play for Arsenal,” Betty said. “I want to wear a different football kit for everyday I ride, so please can any football league or non-league football clubs donate me a shirt to wear.”

Betty’s dad, Lee Allinson said: “Betty was due to go to Disneyland Paris with my mum and dad and her little cousin. We had to tell her that she couldn’t go because of what is going on at the moment.

“So we thought we would turn a negative into a positive and as my mum works at the hospice, who have lost funding at the moment – we decided to do a mile a day to try and raise some money to help!”

Carla Pilsworth, Director of Income at Garden House Hospice Care, added: “We are so proud of Betty-Leigh and grateful she is dedicating her mile a day to help raise money for our hospice patients and families.

“She has done an amazing job, having just learnt to ride her bike, she is an inspiration to anyone who might be thinking of ways to fundraise. Keep going Betty and we are looking forward to see how your challenge continues to grow!”

Betty has received hundreds of messages of support on social media, including from Arsenal legends Paul Merson and Ray Parlour.

To donate to Betty’s cause, visit her justgiving page at justgiving.com/fundraising/bettyleighallinsonamileadayGarden House Hospice Care has recently launched its emergency appeal so it can meet the £1.3 million funding gap it is expected to be facing this year.

If you would like to make a donation, please visit ghhospicecare.org.uk/support-us/coronavirus-appeal