A BASINGSTOKE businesswoman has launched a campaign to raise £20,000 to buy a night shelter for street children on the other side of the world.

Sharon Vickery, who lives in Riverdene, already has the backing of several businesses, but is looking for more.

She is also looking for volunteers to form a small army to sell the raffle tickets that will raise the money.

Miss Vickery, 36, runs her own company, called HouseKeepers, and her novel prize for the winning ticket is a £1,000 house makeover.

This will come from a team of local businesses that are all donating their services.

Miss Vickery's company will give the winner's house a full spring clean to the value of £400.

Carpets, curtains and upholstery will be cleaned by All Seasons Carpet Cleaning, and garden maintenance will be carried out by MJH Landscapes.

OverClean will arrive to clean the cooker, and Niall Catlin Plumbing and Heating will give the boiler a service and a gas safety check.

Greenhouse Graphics, also based in Basingstoke, has designed and produced all the tickets and promotional materials for free.

Other businesses in the town have agreed to sell the tickets for Miss Vickery, including A Plan Insurance, in Cross Street, Smart Cartridge and Focus 21, both in London Street, Modern Music, in Festival Place, Arc Hairdressing, in Church Street, and Dreams of Wood, in Chineham Shopping Centre.

Miss Vickery said: "We want time from people to help fundraise in Festival Place until mid-September, and for a charity car wash at Tesco in Chineham on Friday, August 20, and Saturday, August 21. I want a small army."

Miss Vickery is raising money for The El Shaddai Charitable Trust, which aids Goan street children.

She said: "I visited the charity in March of this year and I have been very impressed by all the people within the organisation."

She plans to go back to Goa in October for six months, armed with £20,000, to help buy a night shelter for between 40 and 100 girls.

Anyone who wishes to volunteer can contact Miss Vickery on 01256 364198.