Archive - Friday, 22 January 1999


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Mandy's mission to help Romanian orphans

CARING Mandy Jones is off to Romania to care for children in need - thanks to the regulars at her local club.

Mandy, aged 42, decided she wanted to travel out to the poverty stricken country last November and since then has spent her time raising the funds needed to go.

She intends to use her experience of working with children to teach staff at the packed orphanages how to improve conditions for the hundreds of youngsters left without families.

Mandy said: "I will be working with children of all ages. The charity I am going with, Muzika in Romania, will tell me where and when I will be going nearer the time, so I can prepare."

Mandy will be teaching music, dance and art while she is in the country.

"The Romanian carers haven't got much idea what to do with the children - they aren't stimulated at all," she said.

"There are around 40 babies in each room and by the time they have fed them all, it's time to start again, so the older ones just sit around with nothing to do.

"As well as caring for the children, we will be teaching the carers. Anything we take out with us, like toys or painting materials, we will leave for them to carry on using."

Although she has spoken to people about what to expect, Mandy is a bit apprehensive. "It is probably going to be a big shock but it's something I have got to do," she said. "I'm at the time in my life when my kids have grown up, so I want to give something back."

Regulars at The Ring O' Bells pub on Church Street have already raised more than £130 to help Mandy on her way and have other fundraising events planned.

Manager Simon Brown said: "When we heard what Mandy was planning we decided to help. We held a raffle and are now planning a karaoke night on Thursday, January 28."

As well as karaoke, the evening will also include a Play Your Cards Right competition and raffles.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.