A LITTLE girl with a lot of courage made a return trip to the hospital where she was emergency airlifted to for lifesaving treatment.

But meningitis survivor Ellie Hills, seven, took a little longer to reach Southampton General Hospital from Portland this time around – she accompanied family and friends and Echo staff who cycled 75 miles in a mass fundraising effort for the 999 heroes who saved her.

In scorching conditions, the charity cyclists followed the flight path the Portland youngster took as she was flown by coastguards for emergency treatment at Southampton after she was struck down with the potentially deadly meningococcal septicaemia strain of the disease.

More than £1,000 was raised to split between the Meningitis Research Foundation, a Coastguard charity, the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Southampton and the Kingfisher Ward at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.

Riders crossed the finish line at Southampton General Hospital accompanied by Ellie.

Ellie’s mum Lucy said: “There were moments throughout the day when I started to get emotional.

“Getting to Dorset County Hospital and seeing the helipad where Ellie was taken to Southampton and going through the New Forest and seeing people struggling but determined to keep going made me really tearful,” she said.

The group was joined by Dorset Echo reporters Catherine Bolado and Laura Kitching and Portland Coastguard watch manager Andy Jenkins, watch officer Matt Brown and Wyke Regis Coastguard station officer Mark Fagg.

In addition the Echo’s mascot Eli Echo made the journey alongside Ellie and her family.

James Martin of recruitment company Rubicon People drove his camper van as support vehicle for the riders, while Lucy and Ellie Hills accompanied the group in a support car.

The epic cycle ride, which took in Dorset County Hospital where Ellie was treated, Bournemouth and the New Forest, was organised by Ellie’s granddad Ian Finney.

Of the dozen cyclists who started the ride, five were forced to pull out due to injury.

Echo reporter Catherine Bolado said: “When Ellie crossed the line it showed the personal journey that she has been on.

“Her family all came together for her and I feel so proud of everyone who took part and everyone who helped.

“I’d like to give the coastguards a really big thank you for their help and for arranging a flyover while we were en route.”

Her colleague Laura Kitching said: “It was a great adventure, we discovered amazing cycle routes and it was heart-warming to be accompanied by Ellie, who was so cheerful the whole way and a constant reminder of the 999 heroes’ good work and why the challenge was so worthwhile.”

Cereal bars for the cyclists were donated by Dorset Cereals. In addition £200 was donated by Alf’s Fish and Chip Shop in Weymouth for sensory equipment for Ellie.

Lucy Hills said she wished to thank everyone who donated bikes for the ride and supported the charity feat.

Money is still being collected for the appeal at justgiving.com/dorsetechobikeride