A GROUP of kind-hearted friends have raised more than £500 for a charity which helps homeless young people.

Seven friends, who were all pupils of The Immaculate Conception School, formed a group called The Darlington Ladies to raise money for Depaul UK.

The group - made up of Angela Stephenson, Jan Scott, Lynn Robinson, Elspeth Robinson, Cathy Prest, Maureen Knowles and Margaret Clark - held coffee mornings every Sunday last month at churches in Darlington.

As well as raising £530, they also told congregations of the charity’s work in the region.

The group, who are all members of the Darlington International Association of Charities, have been fundraising for Depaul UK over the last year, raising more than £1,000 for young homeless people.

Their last event was a Christmas Dinner held at Darlington Rugby Club in December, which raised £343.

Amerjit Chohan, director of fundraising at Depaul UK, said: "The support we receive from the Darlington Ladies is overwhelming. In the last year alone, they have helped raise in excess of £1,000.

“The support of groups such as The Darlington Ladies is invaluable to our work with young homeless people and we are extremely grateful to them for the hard work and continued assistance. Every penny they raise helps us to work with some of the most disadvantaged young people in the North East"

For more information about Depaul UK or to organise your own fundraising event, contact Sarah Goddard on 0207-939-1276.