THANK you! Those were the simple words from little Daisy Palmer after a team of cyclists rode 160 miles to help her.

The seven-year-old, who suffers from a rare condition which means she cannot eat or drink, was too unwell to be at the finish line of the bikeathon.

But she didn’t let that stop her telling the bikers that she appreciated their efforts.

From her hospital bed her dad, 39-year-old Damon, photographed her holding up a card, showing her gratitude.

About 40 riders took part in the 160-mile marathon to raise cash for the Daisy Palmer Trust.

The cyclists started in Bristol on Saturday, rode to London’s Tower Hill, then ended at Langdon Hills, on Sunday, where Daisy lives.

Organised by the Palmer family’s neighbour Robert Earl, the event also saw Laindon police officers Luke Bevan, Clara Hurrel-Smith and PCSO Steve Bohea taking part.

It is not yet known how much the event raised, but the cash will go towards the Daisy Palmer Trust which aims to raise £100,000 so Daisy’s family can adapt their home in Burr Close, Langdon Hills, to make life easier for her.

Daisy’s dad Damon said: “I would like to say a huge thank-you to all those who took part, and it showed just how fantastic the community spirit of the people of Langdon Hills is.

“The riders are still counting their sponsor money, so we have no idea how much they have all raised.

“But I’m sure it will go a long way towards achieving our main aim, which is simply to make Daisy’s life as comfortable as we possibly can by adapting our house to meet her extreme medical needs.

“Basically we need to turn half our house into a hospital ward.”

Daisy suffers from chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction, meaning she cannot eat or drink.

The youngster has to be hooked up to a feeding machine in her bedroom for up to 18 hours a day and is fed intravenously via the arteries of her heart.

She has been in and out of hospital for two years. Her parents formed the Daisy Palmer Trust to raise the £100,000 they need to adapt their home to cater for the youngster’s disability.