PLAYERS from a junior netball club are a big step closer to touring South Africa after a marathon fundraiser.

Fifteen members of the Durham Palatinates Junior Netball Club hope to spend 11 days in South Africa in August, coaching, volunteering and playing netball in local schools.

To pay for the trip, the club must raise £23,000.

As part of that fundraising drive, since early February players, officials and supporters have been running, swimming or cycling as far as possible, in the hope of covering 5,765 miles – the distance between Durham and Cape Town – by today (Sunday, March 8).

In the end, they not only hit their target but smashed through it, clocking up 6,295 miles in total.

The final effort took place at Freeman’s Quay leisure centre, Durham City, this weekend (March 7-8).

Parent and tour co-ordinator Annette Donohue said: “It’s been a fabulous success. The staff at Freeman’s Quay have been great and people have been very generous.”

The club still needs about £7,500 to reach its fundraising goal. To support the effort, visit pitchero.com/clubs/durhampalatinatesnetballclub