Student Louise Mulvanny successfully completed an arduous 10-mile sea swim to help an animal care unit at her school.

Louise swam between Folkestone and Dover, raising £1,100 that she later presented to staff at the Samworth Church Academy unit in Mansfield.

Louise, a year 11 student, said: “I wanted to raise the money to enrich the animal care unit as there were some things it didn’t have, and I thought I could help.

“I really love animals, and this was something I wanted to do.”

Louise has plans to work for the RSPCA and is currently doing a BTEC animal care course at the specialist unit.

Kirsty Price, lead teacher of vocational and social sciences, said: “Louise is an amazing young lady.

Not only has she raised £1,100 to enhance the unit, she’s also spoken to pet shops while purchasing and they’ve agreed to donate extra on top.

“She is a remarkable and lovely student, who puts so much effort into all that she does. She’s been able to see how much the animals have enjoyed what she’s been able to purchase, especially the rats who are loving their new fleeces.”

Louise added: “Lots of friends and family either donated money or sponsored me. I want the money to be used to help the animals, to get whatever they need to make their lives better.

“I had never done anything like this swim before. I had never done the distance, which is probably a bit over 10 miles and was made more difficult because of the tide.

“I had to wear a full body wetsuit because I was worried about being stung by jellyfish.”

Louise was joined on the swim by her mother, Sarah Dunsbee, who has previous experience of English Channel relay swimming.

“It was cold but not so bad,” added Louise. “There were times when I got really tired. Near to the end, when I was close to Dover, I felt quite sick and was worried I couldn’t carry on, but my mum helped me to keep going.

“I am proud that I have done it, and that I raised money for the animal care unit.”

Sarah said: “I am so proud of Louise. It’s not just the swim, but all the training in the lead up to doing it.

“She trained in lakes all last year and she now plays water polo too. This all started because we talked about my experiences swimming. It was a small conversation that led to big things.”

ABOVE: From left, Kirsty Price, lead teacher of vocational and social sciences; Louise Mulvanny; and Josh Dovey, teacher of vocational and social sciences with Aqua the rabbit, Zero the border collie, and Dahlia the lurcher.