A BOLTON policeman is heading out on a mercy mission to Romania for the sixth time in six years.

But PC Geoff Ward has said this will be his last charity trek to take vital medical equipment to help for the nation's children.

PC Ward, who works for the Greater Manchester Police motorway unit, is taking £250,000 worth of equipment to boost facilities in children's hospitals.

The team will also visit hospitals where they have taken equipment on previous visits to check it is still working properly.

PC Ward will travel with motorway officer PC Phil Boak and Bolton based PC Glyn Coxon.

Electronics engineer Tony Day, David Benyon of BP who has helped organise the trip and Ken Ledbetter of Rocket Medical who have donated medical supplies will also go.

Since 1992 PC Ward has co-ordinated five trips to Romania as part of the REACH charity - Romania Equipment Appeal for Children's Hospitals. That group was born out of the Romania Childline 999 appeal.

Millions of pounds worth of medical equipment have been donated to hospitals and orphanages. Another £250,000 of household goods, nappies and baby food have been donated.

The group will set off for Romania this weekend.

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