A YOUNG army cadet travelled in a minibus for almost 24 hours in order to get home in time to take part in a 10k road race.

Grace Audain laced up her running shoes and completed the Accrington 10k after arriving home from Germany just two hours before the race started.

Despite being sleep-deprived from a 22-hour overnight journey, the 15-year-old from Helmshore, completed the 10k, and raised £400 for the East Lancashire Hospice in the process.

The motivated teen said: “I was so tired from all the travelling that I cried before the start of the race but I was determined to do it.

“An elderly gentleman that I’d never met before ran alongside me throughout the race and told me not to give up which helped to give me a push.”

Miss Audain was inspired to start fundraising for the hospice after hearing a speech from community fundraiser, Cat Leech, at a charity event at the Masonic Hall in Accrington.

Ms Leech, community fundraiser at East Lancashire Hospice said: “I had the honour to have met the inspiring young lady, Grace.

“To have accomplished a 10K is challenging for most, but at 15 years old - wow. What a wonder woman."