A Kenilworth fundraising hero was invited to meet the King in recognition of her "tireless commitment" to charitable causes.

Gita Patel was invited to Buckingham Palace alongside a host of other community champions, where she met King Charles.

Gita is the driving force behind the Milan Patel Legacy Fundraising campaign, an initiative established in memory of her beloved son, Milan, who passed away in 2015.

Football-mad teenager Milan had surgery in 2012, aged just 11, to remove a lump from his spine and he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer called Ewing's sarcoma.

Over the next year, Milan endured gruelling chemotherapy and proton therapy treatments, spending every third week in hospital.

After receiving the all-clear in December 2012, the cancer returned in September 2013. Milan once again faced months of chemotherapy, followed by a stem cell transplant and high-dose chemotherapy at Birmingham Children's Hospital.

In April 2014, Milan was again told he was cancer-free only for just two months later, the cancer returned for a third time. In December 2014, Milan and his family received the heartbreaking news that the disease had spread.

On Monday, 2 March 2015, surrounded by his family at home, Milan lost his battle with cancer.

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Since then Gita's tireless fundraising efforts have seen her "transform personal tragedy into hope, support, and opportunity for countless young people and families facing cancer".

Gita and her family established the Milan Patel Legacy Fundraising campaign to ensure his spirit lives on through helping others.

The campaign raises vital funds for organisations that played a significant role during Milan's journey, including:

• Teenage Cancer Trust
• Birmingham Children's Hospital
• Bone Cancer Research Trust

A particular focus of the fundraising supports Teenage Cancer Trust, an organisation that provided invaluable support not only to Milan but also to his family and friends throughout their cancer journey.

Thanks to Gita's unwavering commitment, thousands of pounds have been raised to support young people facing cancer and to fund vital research and care services.

Following her visit to the palace last week, Fitness Worx Kenilworth - where Gita is a lifelong member - has praised her "unwavering" commitment to others.

"Meeting King Charles was a fitting recognition of Gita's extraordinary dedication to charitable causes and her determination to create something positive from unimaginable loss," the team said.

"Her work embodies the values of compassion, resilience, and community spirit. By continuing to share Milan's story and support life-changing charities, Gita ensures that his legacy continues to make a difference every single day.

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"From everyone at Fitness Worx, we congratulate Gita on this incredible honour. We are immensely proud to have her as part of our Fitness Worx family and thank her for the inspiration she provides to us all.

"Milan's legacy lives on through every life touched, every family supported, and every pound raised in his memory."

A donations page can be found here.