A TEENAGER from Bradford on Avon has raised nearly £2,000 for a trip to Africa after staging a cabaret and auction of promises on Friday.

Rachel Clarke, 18, is flying to Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, in June where she will spend six weeks helping teach African children, and has to fund the trip herself.

She came up with the idea of staging a cabaret at Trinity Hall, St Laurence School, and lobbied local businesses to give away items in the auction of promises.

She said: "I managed to persuade lots of the youngsters from my church group to play instruments and sing, and one group even did a stand-up comedy routine.

"I took letters to all the businesses in Bradford asking them to donate things for the auction and they were great.

"The best prize was from my boss at Bailey Employment Services who gave away a 30 minute helicopter ride."

A former St Laurence School pupil, Rachel went to Pietermaritzburg two years ago to help with building and painting projects.