A STORE manageress is taking to the streets to raise money for a charity trip to Kenya.

Carole Benton, who runs Peter's bakery, in St Cuthbert's Walk shopping centre, Chester-le-Street, only has until July 12 to raise three-quarters of the £2,500 required for the trip.

She plans to set off on August 23 with a party of 28 volunteers for the country, where she will trek for six to eight hours a day for a week, through the Rift Valley.

The trip has been organised by Barnardos to raise money for disabled children.

To help her achieve her sponsorship target, Ms Benton, 53, who lives in Chester-le-Street, has been dressing in her walking gear and asking everyone from relatives to strangers in the street for donations.

She said: "I've been going to the local shops and asking friends and businesses if they would sponsor me, and I've had a brilliant response.

"Peter's have been fantastic: they have sent an internal memo to all 60 branches and staff in the shops are probably going to sponsor me.

"Peter Knowles, the founder, is going to make a donation from the company."

Anyone wishing to sponsor Ms Benton can do so by calling her on 0191-389 0182.