COURAGEOUS Lauren Eastham is making a splash for charity - despite battling against a debilitating disease.

The 11-year-old has cerebral palsy but has decided to slip into her swimming costume and raise money for the East Lancashire Hospice.

The Feniscowles Primary School pupil hopes to top £500 with the 2,000 metre swim, which is 85 lengths of the Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School pool, and wants generous folk to back her.

Her mother Wendy, 33, of Feniscowles, praised her daughter, who was diagnosed with the illness at 19 months, for fighting her disability to help others.

She said: "Lauren is such a giver. She is very courageous. She is really boisterous and full of life and would do anything for anybody.

"She has raised money for the hospice before, doing 40 lengths, so she wanted to make this latest challenge count. She loves swimming and it is something she excels at. She is so chuffed to have been selected for the school team."

Harry Grayson, head of fund-raising at the hospice, said: "I would like to thank Lauren for all her hard work. She has enough difficulties of her own but she is so very caring that she can think of other people and that is fantastic."

The swim will be on Sunday between 1 and 4pm. To sponsor Lauren, contact the hospice on 01254 342810.