BROTHER and sister Sebastian and Rebecca gave up eating puddings for a week to help orphans in Romania. Ice cream, biscuits and cakes were banned in the Bates' household and the money saved will be donated to a local appeal. Mum, Mrs Ruth Bates, aged 33, explained: "We decided to cut out puddings for a week to help us remember that other children are not so lucky.

"We won't have saved a lot of money but we plan to donate it to the Romanian orphans. It was Christian Aid week too so it helped us to remember that there are starving people in other countries."

Mrs Bates of Astley Bridge, also organised an appeal at the children's school, The Oaks County Primary, Sharples, after reading an article in the BEN.

Kath Richardson, who is caring for Romanian youngster Madalina, appealed for basic necessities, such as vitamins, antiseptic creams and toiletries, for children at Madalina's orphanage in Dersca.

That gave Mrs Bates the idea to approach the school and involve all the children there in collecting for Madalina's friends.

The children collected toothpaste, soap and vitamins and filled party bags with fun things, such as pencils and colouring books, for the Romanian youngsters.

Mrs Bates also secured a donation of vitamins from Asda and the party bags were donated by Bridge Cosmetics at Astley Bridge.

Sebastian, eight and seven-year-old Rebecca, along with six-year-old pal Hannah Derby, spoke to their fellow school friends about Madalina's orphanage in assembly to start the collection off.

Mrs Bates, husband Mark, 36, son George two and Mark's daughter Rachel, eight, also supported Sebastian and Rebecca in their pudding ban.

She said: "George didn't really know what was going on but he joined in too."

Anyone who can help with further donations, particularly cash to help get the goods to Romania, can ring either Mrs Bates on Bolton 595387 or Kath Richardson on Bolton 841906.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.