WHEN Norman Vernon saw the suffering of children with Aids at a Thai orphanage, he vowed to make a difference.

The Bolton businessman first visited the orphanage while on holiday in Thailand.

He was thinking about moving to Asia and had been hoping to work as a volunteer in an orphanage, so he went to look round the Camillian Centre in Rayong.

Mr Vernon said: "It was heartbreaking to see the children there, but they are so happy."

The centre cares for more than 40 children with HIV and AIDs and is funded through voluntary donations.

The compere and dinner organiser was so determined to help the youngsters that he has organised a fund-raising event in Bolton.

Mr Vernon hopes his dinner, auction, raffle and night of entertainment will raise enough money to turn part of the centre into a common room with a television, a DVD player and a place for the children to play.

He also hopes to buy a dentist's chair as a dentist will treat the children for free as long as there is equipment at the centre.

Mr Vernon, aged 69, of Westgate Avenue, Heaton, said: "The youngsters just knock me out. They are so happy even though they know what's going on. I've been three times and they're always pleased to see me. They love to be hugged and held and the centre really is a very special place."

Many children have been orphaned and others have been abandoned. Their parents were drug addicts or prostitutes, which is how they came to be born with HIV or AIDs.

The fundraising event will be held at the Moat House Hotel in Bolton town centre at 7.30pm on Saturday.

There are still 20 tickets left and they can be obtained by phoning Mr Vernon on 07984-494610.

Prizes at the auction include signed Manchester United, Manchester City and Wanderers shirts, a dinner at home for four cooked by a chef, and a meal for two and a stay at the Moat House.