Fashion-consious fund-raisers upstage Channel-swimmer

A group of Doncaster youngsters have beaten Little Britain funny man David Walliams in a national competition to find the best charity fundraiser.

The group of Millennium volunteers from Links 4 Youth, Dearne Valley, beat the star’s 1million cross channel charity swim into second place.

They won the Third Sector Award of Excellence for Best Fundraising Event in Britain 2007, for their efforts to raise cash for the Aurora Centre.

The youngsters, who staged a fashion show earlier this year, raised 1,900.

They were involved in every aspect of the event, from organising the venue to modelling on the catwalk.

Group co-ordinator Jill Arkley-Jevons said: "These dedicated young people gave up every Tuesday evening and some Sundays to rehearse scenes and learn sewing skills.

“Their aim was to try and beat the 1,300 they raised for Aurora the previous year - without any costs being incurred.

“It’s great that they have won the award.

“They should feel very proud of what they’ve achieved,” she said.