A GWENT charity wants to raise thousands of pounds to buy a 'kitchen lorry' for use in Eastern Europe.

Andrew and Christine Leighton founded the Natalya Fund for fundraising after the stillbirth of their daughter in 1992.

They decided to help children in desperate in need in Eastern Europe and last year alone they and their team of supporters raised £4,320 for the Russia-based Convoy of Hope, which bought dental equipment for use in the city of St Petersburg.

Other beneficiaries over the years include neonatal intensive care units in Lithuania, orphanages and children's homes in Lithuania and Russia; and a Christian centre in Estonia.

This year the Leightons, of Sedbury, are hoping that through the Natalya Fund mailing list donations of £8,500 can be raised to provide a lorry equipped with equipment to cook meals for people in difficult-to-reach places in Russia.

Since collecting began at the beginning of March £800 has been raised.

Mrs Leighton said: "In the villages of Russia there is much need. About 30 per cent of the Russian people live on less than one dollar a day and around 38 per cent live in absolute poverty.

"Convoy of Hope takes aid all over Russia. The kitchen-equipped lorry will mean that when they go out the volunteers will be able to cook meals for themselves and for the people they are helping."

Mrs Leighton said the Convoy of Hope charity was set up by Rachel and Ricardo Dias Cyrino, who pioneered the New Life ministry among street children in St Petersburg.

* For information on the Natalya Fund contact 01291 621229.

* Pictured: Christine and Andrew Leighton, trustees of Natalya's Fund, with their daughter Heather