A LOCAL charity is hoping to bring smiles to the faces of deprived Romanian children.

Street children and youngsters from poor families in Barlad will benefit from the generosity of Bolton folk.

The Good News for Romania charity, run by Dave and Kath Richardson, plans to make it an extra special Christmas this year.

Street children desperately need vitamins and dried food to help them survive the harsh winter rather than the lavish presents many Bolton children will receive this year.

The couple are hoping to collect items for children and young people up to the age of 20.

They want donations of clothes, warm socks, new shoes, small gifts, sweets, chocolate, small toy cars, dolls, hair brushes, small jigsaws, games that do not require any understanding of English, gift sets and tights.

The street children also need, cereal and chocolate bars, small boxes of raisins, ready-made pasta meals - the ones that come in small tubs and do not need cooking - and anything else that might give vitamins and energy.

They could also use toothbrushes, toothpaste and plasters.

Kath and Dave will be holding a coffee morning at their home at 1 Wythburn Avenue, Bolton on Saturday, October 9, from 10am to 12, to help raise funds. The closing date for goods to be received by the Richardsons is Wednesday October 6.

"I am hoping the Bolton public will be as generous as they always are."

"We usually struggle to get things for teenagers and young people up to the age of about 20 and we are also in need of things for babies and tiny tots," said Kath.

Anyone who would like to help should contact the Richardsons on Bolton 841906.