A PAIR of friends from Thornbury are asking for the support of the community to help get them on their way for an experience of a lifetime.

Vicky Holden, 16, and Vicky Clifford, 15, are this September, once they have finished their GCSE exams at The Castle School, heading out to Kenya to work with underprivileged children using dance through a project called Dance2Africa.

The girls are both members of Thornbury Youth Centre and in the last year have successfully established a local dance group.

It is through their love of dance that they are hoping to make a difference with orphans and street children living in the Eldoret region of Kenya.

"We heard about other work that was happening in Eldoret to help the children there and we thought it was something we could get involved with.

"It is going to be such an experience and possibly life changing," said Vicky Clifford.

The girls will be joined on their week-long trip by youth worker Maria Drown, 34, and town councillor Helen Harrison, who has previously travelled to Kenya through aid charity Open Arms International.

"I thought it would be good for the girls to be going with someone that they knew but as a youth worker with an interest in children I think I am also going to get a lot out of the trip and what we see," said Maria.

As well as the dance workshops, during the trip the team will also be running art workshops, working with children at local orphanages and helping with a feeding programme in the Kambi Teso slum area of Eldoret.

The trip will cost about £1,000 a head and to help raise the cash the team have lots of events planned between now and when they go.

Last weekend they took part in a sponsored 5.5km run at St Mary's School, Yate, but still to come is face-painting and nail-painting in the St Mary Centre in Thornbury on Saturday, June 20, a stall at the Thornbury Carnival on Saturday, July 4 and bag packing in the Thornbury Tesco store on Saturday, July 11.

The girls are also hosting a Thornbury's Got Talent show at the Turnberries Centre on Saturday, July 18 and spaces are still available for acts to take part.

Ms Harrison said: "If anyone would like to get involved in any of the events or if a business would like to sponsor one of the flights or help in anyway that would be great."

To give support to Dance2Africa contact Thornbury Youth Centre through Turnberries Centre or visit www.dance2africa.com