FUNDRAISING events are being planned to help pay for a scheme to renovate an orphanage in Africa this summer.

Hambleton Millennium Volunteers are collecting money for their Challenge Malawi project.

The next big fundraiser will be a car boot sale at the Allertonshire School, Northallerton, on May 29. Cars will be charged £5 and vans £8 to take part. The gates will be open from 7.30am.

The sale runs from 8am to 1pm with a 20p admission charge.

Also planned is a cake and preserve stall in Northallerton market on May 22.

"We would be grateful for gifts of cakes or preserves to sell on the stall," said co-ordinator Mary Dodman.

The money from the events will go towards the trip to Malawi, including the materials needed to renovate the orphanage, which is home to about 30 children, many of whom have lost their parents to Aids.

Eight students, from North-allerton, Thirsk and Easingwold and two leaders will spend three weeks redecorating buildings, cleaning kitchens, making curtains and gardening.

Another fundraiser - a celebrity cookbook launched last month - is selling fast.

"We can scarcely keep up with demand," said Ms Dodman. "Our first print run was 200 but we have had to more than double that to 500."