HUNDREDS of pounds has been raised for a charity close to a schoolgirl’s heart.

Evie Lockwood, aged 12, a pupil at Llanidloes High School, is partially sighted and may one day need a guide dog.

Evie and her friend, Lucy Lewis from Bwlch-y-Sarnau, raised £510 after swimming 100 lengths for Guide Dogs UK in May.

Both girls doubled their fundraising target of £100 each thanks to generous donations.

Evie, from Llanidloes, said: “I feel happy and proud that I achieved it. I’d probably do it again, I really enjoyed it!”

Lucy, a Blue Peter badge winner for her swimming achievements, said: “I feel very happy because I like dogs. We’re really good friends and I did it because I like helping people.”

Acting deputy headteacher, Jane Jerman said: “We’re very proud of their achievements. Lucy is beaming!

“It’s really nice to see people raising money, and it’s particularly apt for Evie, when it means something.