A GROUP of youngsters who are planning to travel to southern Africa this summer have hit a milestone in their fundraising.

The ten teenagers need to raise about £18,000 to fund the trip, where they will work with young people in Lesotho on an Aids project.

They have also received donations from a number of groups, including £200 from the Rotary Club of Darlington, £100 from the Cummins Community Action Committee, £400 from the Cockerton Community Partnership, £200 from Unison Darlington and £200 from the Branksome Partnership.

The bulk of their money - £13,000 - came from the Dosh scheme, which allows young people to decide how money is distributed.

Youth worker Herbert Dirahu said: "We are now more than halfway there and the young people are working really well together."

Over the next two years, Dosh will give out £310,000 to young people's projects.

Other schemes to receive money are the Eastbourne Youth Project, which was given £3,895 to create an area at Eastbourne School where older pupils can meet at lunchtime.

The money will be used to buy equipment such as games consoles and a coffee machine to be used by year ten and 11 pupils.

Another £5,000 was given to the Darlington Time Out Young Carers, which support to young carers and offers them a break from their caring role.

The charity Groundwork, which runs a youth project called the Motiv8 Group, was awarded £2,605 to fund a residential survival course in Glasgow for ten young people.

For further information about the funds contact the Youth Service on 01325-346431 or log onto www.darlington.gov.uk/thedosh