A teenager who says her dog has saved her life during her battles with mental health is now fighting to save his life after he was diagnosed with a tumour.

Lucy Allen, who has just turned 19, has owned Benji a cocker spaniel who is three, since he was a puppy.

She says Benji has virtually saved her life during some very dark periods she’s been though.

Not only does she suffer with mental health issues, Lucy also battles with autism and says in her darkest hours, Benji has saved her life.

Lucy, who is from Lordswood, can’t work as a result of her illness so instead has dedicated the her time to raising thousands of pounds for the Kent Air Ambulance.

Since February last year, Lucy has raised around £7,500 for the cause.

However, now she needs help in fundraising of her own because her beloved pet had been diagnosed with a pancreatic tumour and she needs to raise £5,000 to save his life.

Speaking exclusively to the Medway Messenger, Lucy said: “The moment I saw him I fell in love with him and knew how special he was.

“Benji has turned me into a mum, relying on me for so many things, every night he sleeps in my bed cuddled up to me and without him I can’t sleep.

“I have been fighting with autism and mental health issues for a while and he has helped me through some very dark times, when I was ready to give up, I thought of him.

“Without him, I probably wouldn’t be here today.

“To some people, he’s just a dog. To me, he’s my world. Without him, I would be lost. I need some help so I can save my best friend.”

Earlier this week, Benji was unwell and was rushed to the vets. He had to be kept on a drip overnight and had x-rays and ultrasound scan done on him.

Lucy added: “The vet rang me at 9am the next morning saying he needed a operation and they had to do it then as they thought something was stuck in his intestines.

“Unfortunately it turned out that he has the tumour and they are unable to do anything for him. They asked if we wanted to have him put to sleep.

“The only option I have now, is to have him referred to a specialist veterinary surgery which will then do a major operation on him costing thousands of pounds.

"To some people, he’s just a dog. To me, he’s my world. Without him, I would be lost" - Lucy Allen

“I only get a small amount of money each week, which is not going to cover this amount and 50% of the fee needs to be paid at the first consultation and the rest after the operation.

So I have set up a crowd-funding page in the hope people will help me raise enough money to get the operation done for him as soon as possible.

“Benji means the world to me and has been there for me through some very bad times, without him I don’t know how I’d survive.

“I hope people help me to save the dog that saved me.”

Lucy has also set up a Facebook page to gather support for her cause and is also looking for unwanted items to sell to raise money to pay for the operation, search Benjis specialist treatment fundraising page, if you would like to donate an item.

If you would like to donate cash to help Lucy save Benji’s life, visit her page here