THE parents of a Hampshire student who died in a car crash while backpacking in Australia have helped to keep her memory alive by naming a rowing boat after her.

Clive and Tricia Wilson attended the naming ceremony in honour of 23-year-old Lisa at Southampton Institute's Rowing Club near Northam Bridge yesterday.

"This is really about trying to keep Lisa's memory alive. It is a lovely tribute to Lisa, who loved life and sport," said 52-year-old Mr Wilson.

Lisa died when the car she was travelling in with friends crashed on a remote road near Uluru (Ayers Rock) in November 2002. She had worked to pay for the trip after gaining a BA in business studies at the Institute.

A bursary set up by Lisa's parents and two elder brothers, Scott, 29, and Ross, 26, to fund deserving students through their education has already raised £50,000. Ten students on business studies courses have benefited from the financial help over the past 18 months.

The family has also set up a sports bursary this year in Lisa's memory.

"Lisa loved the institute," said Mr Wilson, who is president of Eastleigh Football Club.

"She worked very hard to get her BA. It was not something that came easily to her."

He said it was appropriate that the rowing boat was named after his daughter, who was a keen Saints supporter and loved sport, playing badminton and golf.

"It was her dream to get her degree and have the opportunity to travel. It is ironic that she was killed in an accident while fulfilling that dream," Mr Wilson added.

The family business, Southern Exhaust Supplies, helped to pay for the £9,000 boat, which was unveiled during the ceremony attended by Southampton mayor Councillor Dennis Harryman, and Southampton Institute's principal, Roger Brown.

The club's 57 members will use the five-man vessel during practice sessions on the River Itchen. Gus McKechnie, the rowing club's fundraising secretary, said: "It is great for the club and for Lisa's memory in our tenth anniversary year."

Anyone interested in finding out more about the bursary can log onto www.lisathedaddy.com, named after Lisa's own e-mail address.