A TEENAGER has taken to her staircase during the lockdown to thank a surgeon who operated on her father's brain tumour.

Issy Maclay, 13, has already climbed the 8,848-metre height of Mount Everest and is taking on the challenge again while schools are closed.

Having "a lot of time on her hands", the Hampshire cricket-lover reached the same height as the Himalayan mountain in 21 days.

Issy is now back on track to complete a second round, which she decided to do in aid of the neuro-oncology ward at Southampton Hospital.

She said: "Southampton Hospital have done so much for my Dad by looking after him with his brain tumour.

"I am raising this money to thank all the doctors, surgeons and the nurses that have helped and cared for him."

Her father James, 49, is currently being treated for diffuse astrocytoma, which is a slow-growing brain tumour believed to start in the astrocytes, the supportive cells in the nervous system.

The tumour came back after having surgery to remove it in 2015, and he started having radiotherapy and chemotherapy in March last year.

Issy added: "So when lockdown down happened, I found out I had a lot of time on my hands and as my brother was doing something for the Brain Tumour Charity, I wanted to do something as well to show my appreciation.

"I thought of this challenge and every day I climb up the stairs 109 times, and bike and walk up hills."

All money raised will be going towards a corticol stimulator for the Southampton Hospital Charity that aids in identifying and mapping of the areas of the brain that control speech, sensory, vision and motor skills.

Her father James also said: "I had a period of nothing, but since having the treatment, it brought it all back to the forefront of the kid’s minds, and hopefully this summer will be a way to move forward.

"I think it's a bit of a coping mechanism - I'm very proud and she's surprised all of us. I also encouraged her to go around the local hills for fresh hair while home-schooling as one of the biggest lockdown challenges is how to keep kids active."

Issy has raised over £6,200 and aims to reach a target of £8,848 to match the height of Mount Everest.

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/issymaclay-everest.