A new sensory room for a children's ward at Watford General Hospital is one step closer thanks to a charity cycle ride to Paris.

Inspired by four-year-old Lola McCabe, who has been diagnosed with leukaemia, members of Fullerians Rugby Football Club pedalled 355km raising more than £20,000.

The group departed the Cassiobury-based club at 6.30am on March 16 and headed for Newhaven in east Sussex where they caught a ferry to Dieppe in France.

From there, the ten cyclists travelled to Paris where they arrived on March 18.

Lola, 4, was able to virtually join the Fullerians on their endeavour, as keeping the team company was Dobbie, Lola’s toy house elf who wore a GPS tracker enabling her to follow their progress.

Watford Observer:

The money raised for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust charity Raise will be spent on a sensory room at Starfish ward at Watford General, creating a therapeutic space for young patients to explore during some of the toughest times children and families can face.

Lola's dad Richard, who plays for Fullerians, said: "The care Lola has received has been amazing and whilst her prognosis is good, she has a long journey ahead of her.

"It has been an honour to put all of our love, efforts, and hard-earned money towards a project close to our hearts and maybe even something that will help a future Fullerian, friend or family member in the future."

Watford Observer:

Senior Sister and Starfish ward manager Kerry Beasley added: "This is an amazing achievement that will bring hours of pleasure to all the children on the Starfish ward during their stay in hospital.

"A great big thank you to all involved, it will be wonderful to see the finished space.".

Watford Observer: The riders and McCabe family present a cheque of more than £20,000The riders and McCabe family present a cheque of more than £20,000

The Fullerian's Just Giving page for Raise can be found here.