EVERY Saturday morning 12-year-old George Bryant-Nichols takes part in a 5km park run.

The weekly event forms part of a wider challenge he set himself just after Christmas – to run 50 park runs, as well as the Worthing 3km and RunWisborough 5km by the autumn – all to raise money for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice near Arundel.

He completed his challenge in September and has visited Chestnut Tree House to present a cheque to the charity.

George lives in Littlehampton and he heads to Hotham Park to take part in the Bognor 5km park run on Saturdays.

His fundraising for Chestnut Tree House began when he was just nine when he undertook his first running challenge.

He followed this last year, aged 11, and raised £150.

So far his 2017 running challenge has raised £735 and he has a new personal best of 27:15 for running 5km.

He said: “I really want to raise as much money as possible for Chestnut Tree House because it is an amazing charity that looks after children with life-shortening conditions and their families.

“They get very little funding from central Government, so I know that any donations and support are appreciated.

“I love running and hope to continue taking part in more runs for Chestnut Tree House as I get older.

“I’m so pleased that I’ve exceeded my £500 target by raising £680 for this 50 park runs challenge.”

In addition to running to raise money for Chestnut Tree House, George, along with his sister, helped hand out medals at the Littlehampton 10k in September.

He was also part of the official cheer squad at the Worthing 10k in May and helped out with refreshments at the 100k bike ride last year.

Caroline Roberts-Quigley, community fundraiser at Chestnut Tree House, said: “We are incredibly grateful to George for everything he has done for us.

“It’s inspiring to see someone so young really engage with us as a charity and want to help – both in terms of raising funds and helping out at events.

“Everyone at Chestnut Tree House would like to congratulate George on completing his 50 park run challenge and say a massive thank you for all the support.”

Chestnut Tree House provides care and support to around 300 children with life-shortening conditions and their families across the whole of Sussex.