KINDHEARTS are being urged to help a Bolton-based charity to send a group of Romanian street children on their first ever holiday.

The charity wants to give children, who live on the streets of Barlad scavenging for food, and children from very poor families in the town, the opportunity of a lifetime -- a holiday break away from their daily deprivation.

Kath Richardson, who runs the Good News for Romania charity, is hoping Bolton people will dig deep.

The Bolton mum, of Wythburn Avenue, plans to give the children the chance to camp in the mountains of Voronet at an organised event. The youngsters do not even have anything to wear for the trip -- some own just one set of clothes and Kath is appealing for new clothing, as well as cash.

She explained: "We have to send new clothes to Romania rather than second-hand clothes because the authorities insist on old clothes being fumigated and that costs too much."

Particularly important for the children is new underwear and socks.

Kath said: "You can't imagine how the children will feel when they go on holiday for the first time in their lives wearing new underwear and new clothes. I hope local people will help us."

The camp involves fun and games with a Christian theme and will give the children their first chance to spend time away from the streets of Barlad where they have to beg for food every day. For the children from the poorest families it will be an opportunity to forget, if only for a brief time, about the poverty they are forced to endure. The Good News for Romania team, which includes Kath's husband Dave, also needs a whole host of food items, including children's vitamins, dried potato, dried milk, packet soups, corned beef, tuna, cereals, cooking oil, dried onions and peas, biscuits, sweets and treats.

Goods will be accepted between May 1 and May 13. Anyone who would like to help, with either a cash donation or goods, should ring Kath on Bolton 841906.