A TEENAGER'S fundraising waves are helping to keep afloat a Fair Oak haven for animals.

Animal-lover Lisa Cook, 18, set herself a target to swim 11 miles in about four weeks with one-hour evening sessions at Eastleigh's Fleming Park Leisure Centre.

The sponsored swim raised £430 and has helped to boost the cash flow of St Francis Animal Welfare Shelter in Mortimers Lane, which is threatened with closure if it does not get more financial help.

Lisa wanted to do something for the shelter after reading about its plight in the Daily Echo.A trainee florist at The Flower Shop in High Street, Eastleigh, Lisa did a spell of work experience at St Francis which has given refuge to hundreds of homeless animals. Lisa's dog Misty, a Jack Russell cross, came from St Francis.

Lisa paid a special visit to the shelter to present a cheque from the sponsored swim in which her mum, Irene and fellow florist Nicky Collins took part.

For the presentation Lisa took along her dog and handed over 11 tins of dog food - representing every mile of her swim.

A spokesman for the shelter said they were grateful for Lisa's fundraising efforts and there had been a tremendous response since they launched their appeal for help.