A CHARITY that helps Romanian children suffering from HIV and Aids is desperately trying to raise money to buy a new vehicle.

Everyone's Child Romania, founded by Blackwood man Paul Davies, needs to raise at least £10,000 for a 'people carrier' or van.

Mr Davies, who now lives in Romania, says the van the charity uses at the moment is "on its last legs".

Everyone's Child takes care of 50 children who are HIV positive at the moment, many of whom live in isolated regions and whose families are extremely poor.

"We are the only project in the Constanta county, which reaches the most desperate outlying regions where some of the poorest families live," said Mr Davies.

He said a van is essential to help them reach these families and also to take the children on holidays and trips that improve the quality of their lives.

"The type of vehicle that we need for our community project is one that can handle rough or dirt road, is able to be used for taking kids on trips and can take food packets for 50 families."

He added the vehicle will also be converted into a makeshift ambulance when the children are ill - or for a hearse when the children die. "It is too expensive for families to hire a hearse," he said.

The vehicle also has to be able to travel long distances comfortably and economically - and has to run on diesel as the cost of petrol in Romania is rising every month. The charity is hoping to raise the cash for the vehicle, which will be purchased in Romania, as soon as possible.

Several churches from across Gwent regularly hold fund-raising events for the charity and now Mr Davies is appealing for more help from local people.

Anyone who wants to donate money towards the new vehicle, or can hold an event to raise cash, should contact Wendy Dando on 01495 222729 or Ruth Thomas on 01495 249472.