A BUDDING cyclist is taking on a 50-mile challenge to raise funds for a bench to remember the cousin she never got to meet.

Stacie and Mark Cosgrove, from Winnington, were looking forward to welcoming their first daughter Matilda to the world after getting married last year.

But on June 30, four days before Stacie was due to be induced, Matilda was stillborn at Liverpool Women's Hospital.

Stacie, 32, told the Guardian: "When I went in on the Monday (June 29) for a check up they found that her heart had stopped beating.

"At the minute we don't know why, but they are doing an investigation.

"Obviously the whole family was devastated. Everyone was really excited to meet her."

After burying Matilda at Gorstage Cemetery, Stacie and Mark began looking into getting a memorial bench to sit at while visiting their daughter at the peaceful location.

Having begun making enquiries, their niece Nancy Carter asked if she could raise the money needed.

With the nine-year-old Hartford Primary School pupil being a keen cyclist, she decided to ride the distance of Northwich to Liverpool Women's Hospital in back over the next few weeks – a total of 50 miles.

Nancy is hoping to raise £2,000, which would cover the cost of the bench and installation, with any additional funds going towards Liverpool Women's Hospital.

"It was Nancy's first cousin and she was so excited to meet Matilda," said Stacie.

"We were so proud that she wanted to do something like that.

"She only turns 10 in a couple of weeks and I don't think she understood exactly what had happened – it is quite a lot to get your head around at that age.

"But this was her way of showing she wanted to something for her which is so nice."

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So far, Nancy has cycled 13 miles and raised £825 of her £2,000 target, including £460 in donation on Facebook.

To keep track of her challenge and donate, visit facebook.com/donate/724742008366793