NOT many five-year-olds have decided that they want to be an oncologist when they grow up.

But India-Theia McInerney is adamant about her goal in life, even before leaving Year One.

And it's what helped to drive the Belthorn Academy Primary pupil to complete 40 lengths of the pool at the Riverside, in Lower Darwen, and raise £500 for good causes.

Proud mum Amy-Leigh, of Besant Close, Blackburn said: "India has always been a compassionate little girl and is always thinking of anything she can do to care for poorly children.

"She wants to be an oncologist when she grows up so she can look after youngsters with cancer.

"I've been studying for a diploma in human physiology and she's probably picked up on that."

Her swimming effort proceeds will be split between her primary school and appeal for Breya Ward, a two-year-old Colchester girl who the brain cancer neuroblastoma.

Her parents are trying to raise £250,000 to take her to the USA for immunotherapy treatment.

"This isn't the first time India's been involved in fundraising," added Amy, who wanted to thank staff at The Riverside for allowing her daughter to finish the 400 metre challenge.

"She was involved with collecting money for the Poppy-Mai Appeal and also raised something for Sarah Berlusconi, when she was trying to secure a cuddle cot for the hospital.

"India was a really poorly child when she was younger and spent quite a bit of time in hospital, and they really looked after her, so that might have planted the seed for what's she doing now."