HEALTH scheme clients clean-ed cars for charity after being inspired by two teenagers.

Six clients of the Gap Day Service, at Whitfield House, Framwellgate Moor, which helps people back into the community after being in hospital, washed cars with the help of support staff.

They aimed to raise money for a high quality artificial limb for Kate Smith, 16, from Seaham, who lost part of a leg after contracting meningitis.

The group read about Kate, and plans by her cousin, Laura Malone, 17, and Gemma Atkinson, 18, to abseil from the Tyne Bridge to raise funds, in The Northern Echo's sister paper, the Durham Advertiser.

Support worker Victoria Dobson said they were inspired by the two Durham County Council employees to stage their own fundraising attempt.

She said: "Six of our male clients washed cars for most of the day, and we also made bacon sandwiches, hot dogs and beef burgers and sold them to office staff. The day went really well, and we raised £176, which we are putting into the girls' fundraising account."