A GROUP of young people are going to Africa to build an orphanage.

Uniformed services students from Derwentside College are raising £16,000 for the trip to Nairobi, in Kenya.

They hope to leave at the beginning of August and stay for a month, living among the local community in tents.

Caroline Wyatt, 17, from Consett, is training to go into the army in September, following the trip.

She said: "Everybody is working hard, and we are all really looking forward to it.

"We want to go to a new place, to meet new people and help them.

"Things like this make you a lot more independent, and give you more knowledge about what is going on in the world."

The eight have to raise £2,000 each to pay for their trip and are doing a variety of fundraising activities, including bag-packing, washing cars, sponsored walks and coffee mornings and are now appealing for sponsorship from businesses.

Anyone wishing to help can call course co-ordinator Sue Self on 01207-585900.