Church N ews Work for Romanian kids in despair is continuing
Charity champions will never forget poverty- stricken children in Romania.
Newton Wallacetown Church secretary Irene Mon t g ome r i e has organised the sixth annual coffee morning for the abandoned and disabled youngsters.
The 81- year- old gran flew out to Romania two years ago where she witnessed heartbreaking scenes that will be etched on her memory forever. It made her even more determined to continue bolstering the church’s support of the charity Children in Distress.
Irene said: “A lot of he children have HIV and have been left disabled. Some of the sights I saw were shocking. There were things I will never see in my life again. I went to Romania to see the work Children in Distress do. The poverty is dreadful. In the countryside a lot of people live in shacks without running water or electricity.”
The latest coffee morning in June raised £ 1,215 - every event for the charity has smashed the £ 1,000 threshold. There were stalls, homebaking, bric a brac and tombola.
The ladies from the church are dedicated knitters and all their woolen garments were also up for browsing.
The Romanian children benefit from their knitted creations of scarfs, blankets and hats every year as temperatures plunge to - 30.
Irene said: “The coffee morning was a super success. It is very popular and we advertise it well. Our church has actually been involved with the charity for 20 years.”
Hundreds of shoeboxes filled with soap, face cloths and toothbrushes are also sent to the country.
Generous members of the congregation donate money so the volunteers can shop for shoebox contents.
Irene has been recruiting additional helpers for Children in Distress and spreading word of the charity’s work in Romania.