A HAMPSHIRE father is cycling to France to raise money for charities who have helped his eight-year-old daughter in her fight against cancer.

Ben Godber, 46, of Bluebell Gardens, Four Marks, is part of a four-strong team who are riding from Basingstoke to Paris for causes including Southampton General Hospital’s Piam Ward and Sophie’s Place, the child assessment centre at Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

Libby Godber was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia last May and Mr Godber said the family want to give something back to the charities who have helped her through chemotherapy.

“We’ve discovered a huge new world in the last 18 months,” he said.

“Hopefully other families who will be in the same boat will at last be able to have the same sort of opportunities that we’ve had to make the whole thing more bearable. There’s not an awful lot of happiness in what we’re going through, especially in the darkest days.”

The team have raised almost £2,000 for Sophie’s Place, Southampton General Hospital’s Piam Ward, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, The Joe Glover Trust and Lucy’s Days Out.

The Make-a-Wish Foundation grants last wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. Libby loves to dance, Mr Godber said, and her wish is to spend a day with a fashion designer creating her own dancing dress.

The team have raised almost £2,000 so far and hope to reach £5,000.

To donate or read more about Libby’s condition visit virginmoneygiving.com/team/libbygodber.