TWO youngsters from Alderholt have raised more than £200 for the RSPCA after spending 24 hours in a kennel.

Lily Blench, 11 and Hollie Bertie, 12, bedded down in the kennel built by Lily’s upholsterer dad Chris, 51, after coming up with the idea themselves.

The Cranborne Middle School pupils had set themselves a target of £100.

But they have already raised £233 with more coming in.

Mr Blench said: “I camped out for the night to make sure they were safe and got absolutely soaked, as I kept the front of my tent open just in case.

“By 10.45pm they were a bit tearful as it was hard work. I felt sorry for them.

“But they were up at 5.45am singing and they drew on the back of the kennel to keep their spirits up. Morale went up and down a bit.

“They came up with the idea and I thought it’s going to be a hard slog. But there were no arguments – it was just the rain that got to them.”

The kennel was made especially for the challenge, which ran from midday on Saturday.

The girls only left the kennel to have toilet breaks and had magazines and colouring pens to keep them entertained.

Lily Blenchsaid: “We are doing this because we admire the RSPCA’s work in rescuing animals and want to help.

“Doing the challenge made us think about all the dogs and any other animals that are shut outside on cold nights.

“At least we had food, drink and knew we are loved.”

To support Lily and Hollie donate at www.justgiving.com/24kennelz.