A YOUTH scuba diver ambassador is raising money for the NHS by diving 40ft underwater and building a LEGO plane.

Eleven-year-old Sophie O’Dea, from Blackburn, wants to raise over £5,000 to thank the NHS for their hard-work during the coronavirus pandemic.

She will build the LEGO plane on top of a real plane, at the maximum depth allowed for her age, at the Capernwray diving site in Blackburn.

Sophie will have staff from Canary Divers on hand to ensure her safety during the dive.

Mum Emma O’Dea said: “We are incredibly proud of Sophie, she knows it won’t be an easy task to complete but I know her determination and I know she will give it 100 per cent.

“Sophie’s the type of girl that just gets on with it, she takes everything in her stride both at school and her scuba diving, but she always gets the result she has aimed for.

“She has her family behind her and I’m in no doubt that she will surface with the biggest smile on her face.”

The youngster will follow instructions while underwater on how to build the LEGO atop the plane, which was sunk in the Capernwray Quarry many years ago.

Sophie said: “I wanted to find a way to help raise money to put towards equipment or anything else they need.

“Because we are in lockdown I found it really difficult to think of ways to fundraise from my home, my hobby is scuba diving and I love building Lego so thought why don’t I put the two together and build the Lego underwater?

“It’s not going to be easy because Lego wants to float, and I’ll have to keep an eye on my air supply as well as staying perfectly buoyant myself so I’m going to do lots of practice in the bath and pool at home. I really hope people donate and I can get to the target. I will do the dive as soon as lockdown is lifted.”

Sophie became a youth ambassador, aged 10, and has done underwater photography courses.

She also reviews diving equipment for Canary Divers.

Her diving instructor, Kris Fearnley, said: “All Canary Divers staff are very proud to have Sophie as part of the dive club, we all wish her the best with her challenge.”

The challenge will not be easy for Sophie as she will be building the LEGO while keeping an eye on her air supply content.

To donate visit her justgiving page online.