A YOUNG girl, who is a student at a North Yorkshire school, is taking on a mammoth running challenge to support a "crucial" charity.

Freja Thakcray, 8, has set herself the goal of running 20 lots of 2021 metres in 2021 to raise money for Racing Welfare.

On her donation page, Freja, a student at North Yorkshire school Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate, said: "I'm raising money for Racing Welfare as I know how much they can help people – in many different ways."

The young runner has already smashed her fundraising target of £500, totting up an "amazing" £4300 to donate to the charity.

Mrs Kilkenny, head of Chapter House, which Freja is part of, said: "'I am always so proud of the children if they challenge themselves to raise money for charities."

Freja is completing some of the runs with her mum, Mary and is on course to complete the challenge in May.

To support the young runner, visit: https://bit.ly/2RwbjEu

Freja and her mum are documenting her journey on Twitter at: @RunningforRW.