A TOP county gymnast broke her leg on Sunday.

Eden McGarvie was training ahead of a qualifier to win a place in the West Midlands team for a national gymnastics competition in April.

The 10-year-old Hereford schoolgirl needed cheering up after spending the night in the children’s ward at the County Hospital and knowing her chances of winning more awards had been halted while the leg mended.

Right on cue, Hereford Lions Club turned up the following morning with a delivery of 100 teddies for the ward, bringing a big smile to Eden’s face when club president Ian Foster presented her with the first one.

“Missing out on a possible place in a major national competition was a huge blow for Eden but seeing her big smile and determination to get fit and be back in training showed just how important the gift of soft cuddly toy is to children facing treatment in the ward,” said Mr Foster.

Eden is already an elite athlete with the Sparks gymnastic section of the Halo Foundation at the Leisure Centre and is the current age group champion in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

A pupil at Trinity Primary School, she lives with her parents, Simon and Nicola in Moor Farm.

Her mum said: “Eden is totally committed to gymnastics, training six days a week and putting in 20 hours.

"The injury was one of those simple things but means she misses out on the chance of competing in the national championships in April.”