Appeal to find host families

8:13am Tuesday 1st May 2001

THE Moreton Romanian Orphans Fund is looking for local families to act as hosts for around 30 children due to visit the UK this summer.

The children, all aged between ten and 15, will be staying for two weeks and the group will provide a full programme of fun and educational activities for both the children and their host families.

Last year the youngsters and their hosts enjoyed a number of trips, including a tour of the sights of London with a visit to the Natural History Museum and a boat trip down the Thames. They also made a visit to Bishop's Stortford fire station.

Host families take the children into their homes and treat them as one of the family.

The children usually arrive in the country with very few belongings and hosts are sometimes asked to help clothe the children or perhaps buy them a pair of new shoes.

Hosts could be young couples, single people, or families whose children have already left home.

One family who finds the scheme particularly rewarding is Mike and Sandra Speed, from Harlow.

Mrs Speed said: "We got involved through my brother-in-law who was acting as a host. After going along to some of the events and seeing the children we thought we would give it a go. The chairman of the fund said to us that once you get started you get hooked, and it's true."

The Speeds have been visited by a young girl called Mirela for two years, and she is among the orphans returning again this year.

Mrs Speed said: "It really gives you a good feeling to know you are helping these kids, even in a small way.

"These children have no-one in Romania. They're desperate to have someone to care for them. They're not little angels as they have grown up in a tough environment but they give back so much more than we give them. It's a very rewarding experience."

She added: "Some people think it's cruel to bring the children over here and then send them back but they have such a wonderful time and no matter what happens you can't take their memories away from them because they stay with them forever."

During the visit all host families will have the full support of experienced fund members. For the protection of the children all host families will be vetted.

Anyone interested in becoming a host family, or in the activities of the fund, can ring Barbara on 01279 832001 or Sandra on 01279 439488.

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