VOLUNTEERS from an Ipswich based charity have been making a difference to the lives of children in Romania.Members of Support For World In Need took a group of orphaned children and children from poor families on a short holiday break from their homes near Bucharest to the mountain region of Sinaia.

VOLUNTEERS from an Ipswich based charity have been making a difference to the lives of children in Romania.

Members of Support For World In Need took a group of orphaned children and children from poor families on a short holiday break from their homes near Bucharest to the mountain region of Sinaia.

Pete Denholm was one of four volunteers to take part in the trip and found the experience both rewarding and distressing.

He said: "The children there really crave attention - just holding their hands made a big difference to them.

"They were after affection that was more important to them than being given things."

There were 30 youngsters involved aged between six and 15 and the charity is now trying to benefit further children by purchasing a property with land that can be used by youngsters all through the year.

Mr Denholm added: "At Bucharest railway station we spotted quite a few children who were bare foot running across the tracks, getting on and off trains and begging for money.

"We saw a little lad in the mountain resort who was 12-years-old begging for money to support his younger brothers and sisters. He was bare foot.

"We wondered whether they are just doing it as a way of getting money but we walked on rough roads with him to buy socks and shoes and he didn't winch once - his legs were also covered in scabs."

The volunteers also visited a hospital and a mental institution donating money raised back home.

Mr Denholm said: "My wife broke down in tears. The hospital itself was an old building but was kept incredibly clean.

"There were rooms full of perspex cots with just a picture of Jesus and a small cuddly toy in the corner. They had very little human contact other than when they were fed and changed.

"All of the babies in the hospital are heading for the orphanage where they look after them to a certain age."

Each of the volunteers, paid for their own flights and travel expenses as all money raised by the charity goes directly to those who need it.

Support For World In Need works closely with nuns in Ghana and Macedonia as well as Romania to relieve poverty, support education and provide money to the sick.

A large amount of their work also involves the sponsorship of children.

Other people from Suffolk have also been out to the country to help the orphans. The Ipswich Appeal for Romania co-ordinated by Lee Arthur has run several mercy missions to deliver truckloads of medical and cleaning supplies to the country.

N To make a donation to the charity send cheques made payable to Support For World in Need to 3 Wimbourne Avenue, Ipswich IP3 8QT.

To sponsor a child contact Violet Gitzer at the same address or telephone 01473 271671 or email world.need@btinternet.com - sponsorship costs £5 or £10 per month depending on the age of the child.

N A charity golf day is being held at Cretingham golf club on Sunday, October 3 in aid of Support For World In Need. The day costs £25 and includes 18 holes of Texas scramble and a meal. To book a place contact Pete Denholm on 01473 311390 or email pdks@itfc7819.fsnet.co.uk.