TWO courageous fund-raisers are taking part in a daring dive to swim with a tank full of sharks.

Care team members at Derian House Children's Hospice, Chorley, Patricia Clarkson and Lisa Lord are taking up the bold quest to help raise money to revamp the pool at the hospice.

The pool is in need of new changing rooms and blinds for the children's privacy when in the pool.

The brave duo will be taking part in the sponsored dive at Blue Planet at Cheshire Oaks.

Patricia, 41, of Petre Crescent, Rishton, said: "We needed to do something different to help raise awareness and to draw in sponsors. No one at the hospice has ever heard of this kind of fundraiser before -- I don't know why on earth I ever volunteered because the more I think about it the more it worries me.

"I have never really been scared of sharks, but that is only because I have never been near one -- I think when I get ready to dive into the tank I will change my mind! All I can say is I hope that they feed the sharks before we get into that tank or else we might end up being their supper."

The pair have already been pledged £300 between them, but say they need a lot more than £300 to help them achieve their goal.

Lisa, 31, of Deerfold, Astley Village, Chorley said: "Any amount of money is good for the hospice, but we really need to get a good response so that we can make a difference. The dive costs £75 each but because of the nature of the fund-raising the Blue Planet has let us pay half the costs. "We usually take part in walks or climbs and I think they are the more sensible option but you don't get anywhere being sensible all your life.

"I can't even touch a goldfish so goodness only knows how I will cope with a fish so large and scary."

Kate Robinson, the organiser at Blue Planet, Cheshire Oaks, Ellesmere Port said: "Patricia and Lisa will be taking part in the discover scuba dive where they will be given full training on the day and guidelines set by PADI which is the Professional Association of Diving Instructors.

"They will be diving into a tank that has sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks, lemon sharks as well as Moray eels and sting rays. All divers are required to have a minimum level of fitness before they can take part in the dive. Spectators will be able to watch them as they swim through the 71 metre long safari tunnel through the aquatheatre window."

Derian House is a charity that does not receive any funding from government and has to raise one million pounds this year to keep the hospice running.

Patricia is no stranger to fund-raising as she has been the chairman of the fundraising friends club at St Peters and St Pauls Primary School in Rishton for the past 12 years.