A NELSON schoolgirl has made a real splash for charity by raising the most money in a national sponsored swimming event.

Sammy-Jo Woolfenden, 10, raised £1,392 for spinal cord injury charity Aspire by swimming the distance of the channel at Pendle Wavelengths, in Nelson.

She swam twice a week for 11 weeks to complete the challenge, clocking up a total of 1,408 lengths.

This week the St Paul's Primary School pupil, of Highgate, was told she was the top fund-raiser in the national event, which is now in its sixth year.

Friends and family, including her sister Jessica-May, six, rallied round to sponsor her and she also attracted money from the Asda store.

Sammy-Jo, who is also a keen netball player and a member of her local swimming club, took up the challenge after reading a poster for the challenge at Pendle Wavelengths.

Her mum, Deborah, said: "She knew she could already swim a mile but she saw the poster and thought it would be a real challenge for her to have a go at such a big distance.

"She has always been a good swimmer but wanted to see if she could manage the distance.

"At first she wasn't sure a 10-year-old would be allowed to take part but they said it would be OK. We were so pleased she managed to complete the challenge. She went twice a week for 11 weeks."

To take part in the Aspire Channel Swim 2004 or to make a donation to Aspire. contact Freephone 08000 370 880 or log on to www.aspirechannelswim.co.uk.