YOUTH workers rose to the challenge and completed stomach churning sponsored events to raise money for two good causes.

Families from Woodhouse Close Estate, in Bishop Auckland, turned out on Tuesday to cheer on the brave volunteers at Auckland Youth and Community Centre.

Money raised from the fund-raising night will be shared between the centre and local soldier Private Chrissy Thompson, 18, who lost part of his right leg in a mine explosion in Iraq.

The star of the show was a friend of Pte Thompson, trainee youth worker James Campion.

He bathed in a stew of baked beans, spaghetti hoops, custard and jelly for two hours.

Andrew Geary's legs were waxed, and Georgia Smith ate ten disgusting dishes, including pilchards and custard. Dave Merryweather was put in stocks, Nigel Hogg dressed as a pantomime dame, and Sally Easton donned pants filled with custard.

Tindale Crescent Working Men's Club will hold a fundraising night for Pte Thompson on Friday, at 7pm.