CHARITY managers have high hopes for a fundraising event later this month.

Cruse Bereavement Care in Darlington is organising a guided walk up one of the country's highest peaks to raise cash for new computer equipment.

The sponsored walk up the 3,000ft Skiddaw, in the Lake District, will take place on Sunday, May 29. Organisers are hoping to raise about £1,500.

The Darlington office of Cruse is manned by two salaried workers and 11 volunteers.

A spokesman said: "This is an extremely busy office and we can receive 300 calls for help a month.

"These all have to be passed on to a referral secretary and appointments have to be made, cancelled, postponed and so on.

"All this is done on rather old and often second-hand equipment, which wastes a lot of time and is frustrating for staff. We hope the sponsored walk will help us improve this situation."

Thirty people have already signed up for the trek but more are wanted. The walk will be led by Paul Greenwood, of Darlington and District Talking Newspaper. Anyone interested in taking part can call him on (01325) 286616.