A BRAVE eight-year-old conquered her fear of open water to take part in her first triathlon event, raising more than �400 for charity.

Havana Miller, a pupil at Cromwell Park Primary School in Huntingdon, swam 100 metres, cycled 3 km and ran a kilometre at the Human Race triathlon at Dorney Lake.

The youngster, who lives in Huntingdon with her parents Rachel and Ricardo, and six-year-old brother Louis, raised �200 for Macmillan and �225 for Holly Ward, the children’s ward at Hinchingbrooke Hospital.

Havana was determined to complete the course as her grandfather died of cancer and her uncle has also suffered with it.

She crossed the finish line at Eton in just 28 minutes and 37 seconds.

Mum Rachel said: “She is a very determined little girl. She had seen my husband and I take part in triathlons, and really wanted to have a go herself.

“The problem was her fear of open water, and there were a lot of tears during her training at a swimming pool in Cambridge.

“She got over her fear thankfully. There had been a lot of turmoil, but she has a very strong character and was determined to do it

“Havana lost her granddad to cancer; her uncle has survived cancer, and she has a grandmother who works for Macmillan - that is why she wanted to help Macmillan, and she wanted to help local children in the hospital. She is a very caring little girl.”

When Havana first got into the water at Dorney Lake it seemed her nerves might have got the better of her, as she felt the cold, and started to walk out.

But Rachel said: “As soon as the claxon sounded she just turned around and off she went, we were tremendously proud of her.

“We are very proud of Havana, she is amazing. Three weeks after the triathlon she got a her black belt in martial arts.”

Anyone wanting to add to Havana’s charity total can donate through www.justgiving.com/havanamiller.