EXCLUSIVE By ADAM LAZZARI FOUR leisure centre workers stepped in at the last minute to save a fund raising fashion show to aid Kenyan orphans – and helped raise five times the organiser s target. These girls agreed to do it without a moment s hesitation,

EXCLUSIVE

By ADAM LAZZARI

FOUR leisure centre workers stepped in at the last minute to save a fund raising fashion show to aid Kenyan orphans - and helped raise five times the organiser's target.

"These girls agreed to do it without a moment's hesitation," said organiser Caroline Kemp. "One girl did with just half an hour's notice before the start."

Her colleagues at the Hudson Leisure Centre where she works agreed to help after professional models organised by the company supplying the clothes withdrew the day before the show was to be staged and suggested it be cancelled.

Proceeds are expected to top �1,000 to help feed starving orphans Mrs Kemp and her husband met whilst on honeymoon in Kenya.

Mrs Kemp expects the proceeds will feed an entire orphanage for 10 weeks and she will take all the money she raises out to them at the end of the year.

"I thought the show would only raise about �200.

"Strangers have been coming up to me and putting money in my hand.

"It was a quite harrowing experience visiting these starving orphans on my honeymoon but the support I've received has been completely overwhelming.

Mrs Kemp, 50, of Doddington, stumbled upon the Lioness Cubs Orphanage in Mombasa when on honeymoon with her husband Tony, 55, after being told by fellow holiday-makers of its plight.

She met 21 orphans, nine of which were HIV positive, and returned home determined to raise money to feed them.

Money was raised at the fashion show through ticket sales, raffle tickets and donations.

About �800 was raised at the show and another �200 has come from donations.

"I would like to thank everyone, especially the Hare and Hound, Complimentary Medical Centre, Premier Foods, Peterborough Greyhound Stadium, Tesco, P Butchers for donating raffle prizes and the Hudson Leisure Centre for allowing us to use the hall," said Mrs Hudson. She now plans further fund raising events.