FRIENDS PROJECTS: A 'kidstore' selling second-hand children's clothes and toys is among projects planned to help young people in north Norfolk.The shop would be based at the Kidzone after-school and holiday club at North Walsham's Manor Road Junior School.

FRIENDS PROJECTS: A 'kidstore' selling second-hand children's clothes and toys is among projects planned to help young people in north Norfolk.

The shop would be based at the Kidzone after-school and holiday club at North Walsham's Manor Road Junior School.

Diners at a fundraising lunch in the town's Beechwood Hotel heard about the scheme from Jenny Harmer, a Friend

of the Benjamin Foundation, pictured

with foundation chief executive Richard Draper.

Mrs Harmer told 60 guests Friends were also trying to raise �15,000 to convert a barn at the back of North Walsham's Carpenter's Arms drop-in to give young people more room to socialise, and appealed for donations of old clothes.

Friends are also planning to create a garden from land behind New Road youth centre, where children from North Walsham's Town Tots playgroup can grow vegetables. And they are fundraising to buy poultry and other equipment for homeless young residents of Steven Newing House, in Fakenham.

Mrs Harmer raised �330 towards the Carpenter's Arms project through a St George's Day dinner at her home, and from sponsors supporting her in Sunday's 10K Grand East Anglia Run at King's Lynn.

Beechwood owners Don Birch and Lindsay Spalding donated the food for last week's lunch, which raised �1,300 for the foundation.

Donations of old clothes shoes and bags can be left at the Carpenter's Arms from 10am-5pm Mon-Thurs and until 7pm on Fridays.

Call 01692 500999.