Players and coaches from Hitchin Belles FC have already raised more than £3,000 to support a young girl fighting a rare form of cancer.

Courageous Hattie Brattan, seven, who attends Wilshere Dacre Junior Academy on Fishponds Road, was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer of the soft tissue, in 2019.

Brave Hattie lives with her sister, Ellie, brother George, mum Helen and dad Paul in the town.

The Hitchin youngster has faced her battle with determination and dignity while being treated at various hospitals including London's Great Ormond Street and Addenbrookes in Cambridge.

Family and friends have supported Hattie through nine rounds of chemotherapy, as well as proton beam therapy in Manchester, before a year of maintenance chemotherapy.

Inspired by her fortitude, Belles coach, and family friend of Hattie's, Jeremy Wood, decided to start a fundraiser to help the tenacious youngster.

With the pandemic still raging and all forms of amateur sport banned, including football, Jeremy, and other Belles' coaches - as well as every single girl at the club - decided to help Hattie's fight against the deadly disease.

Between Jeremy and everyone associated with the Belles, the club came up with the plan to run 3,430 miles, starting this week, for four weeks, with the intention to help everyone including Hattie, and her brave battle.

Why 3,430 miles?

The precise figure relates to the furthest distance between stadiums at Euro 2021, which is set to take place across the continent - from the Azerbajian capital Baku to Bilbao, in the Basque country of northern Spain.

Belles' good-natured coach Jeremy, one of the driving forces behind the challenge, spoke to Hitchin Nub News about the event.

He said: "We just want to raise as much money as we can for Hattie and the cause, while also helping the wellbeing of all the girls at the club.

"They're such a lovely family and Hattie's a wonderful girl," adding: "The idea came after I woke up one morning and wanted to get my two girls out doing something during lockdown.

"It's really good for everyone's mental and physical wellbeing to get out there and do something positive."

The challenge works out at 122 miles a day between the girls and coaches, which equates to a whopping 857 miles a week.

"With everything that's going on with Covid," explained Jeremy, "with schools closed and kids in front of laptops all day, we just thought it would be good to get as many of our girls back doing exercise as we can.

"Part of it is getting the girls out. The Belles needed a challenge and a reason to do it - and Hattie is our reason to do something positive and make a change.

"I've had messages from parents of Belles girls who've said: 'Thank you for getting my daughter out running again during lockdown'".

Belles' Baku to Bilbao begins

Dedicated Jeremy set the tone by heading out at precisely one minute past midnight on Monday, the official launch day of the fundraiser.

By the end of the first 24 hours, more than 300 miles had already been ticked off by everyone at the club.

With such a stunning start, no wonder the original target of £1,400 was soon met, with everyone now gunning to reach the revised figure of £5,000.

Joe Wicks and Guillem Balague show support

Fitness coach and author Wicks, also known as The Body Coach, has already given his backing to the girls' efforts.

Wicks, who shot to fame during the first lockdown when he launched weekly online exercise sessions back in March 2020, as a way of keeping children fit while schools were shut, was only to happy to help Hattie and the cause.

Big hearted 'Body Coach' Joe told Hattie and the club in his video: "Hello to everyone at Hitchin Belles. I just want to wish you all the best in your challenge when walking and running for Hattie."

Jeremy explained: "Joe Wicks came back within five minutes of messaging him," adding, "Guillem Balague from Sky Sports, also sent us a positive message from Spain right away.

"We're really thankful for all the support from big names - and hopefully there will be more videos to follow from various stars.

"The videos have given Hattie such a boost.

"To know that she's giggling with happiness at the fact so many people are rooting for her is what keeps us going."

Inspirational Hattie would like to say thank you to the NHS and all those who have rallied round during her courageous fight.

To donate

All funds raised from by Hitchin Belles 'Baku to Bilbao' challenge go to the wider 'Hattie's Rainbow of Hope Appeal' via the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group.

The much-needed cash will go into rhabdomyosarcoma research as well as kinder and more effective treatments for youngsters battling the disease.

Donate here

Read Hitchin Nub News as we chart the progress of the Hitchin Belles in their bid to boost brave Hattie