A FUNDRAISER is hoping to bring Christmas Day in August to a host of Eastern European youngsters who live in poverty.
Val Newton is looking to bring happiness into the lives of more than 100 children through two holidays she is arranging in the coming months.
But she needs to raise £6,000 to help take 40 Kosovan children to the seaside in Durres in Albania at the end of June.
Meanwhile, she will also be taking a 70-strong group of Romanian children to the Carpathian Mountains in August.
A total of £1,000 has been raised towards the cost of staging the two trips, but Mrs Newton, of Cross Hands, said she hoped people would be able to fund the getaways.
She said: "At the start of the holiday the children come with little white faces, sad eyes and hungry.
"They leave with full tummies, sparkling eyes and look happy.
"The cost is about £6,000 for the two holidays.
"We need financial help — small or large donations if possible, please."
She added: "They will enjoy walks in the mountains and swimming in the sea.
"It will be Christmas Day in August and there will be birthday parties with presents and cakes, football, fun, fresh air, loud noisy discos, and with your help I'll have them sparkling and happy."
She said that among the children to benefit would be those who were living in shacks and youngsters who had been abandoned by their mums or who had been traumatised.
Mrs Newton said: "They have had miserable lives and do not have enough to eat.
"We send them home with biscuits and tins so it's not such a shock to go back home."
She said that among those due to go on the holiday was an 18-year-old who was almost stabbed to death.
The mum of three left her violent partner and went back to live with her dad and six siblings in a three-roomed house, which was rebuilt through Val's charity last year.
She is now not only caring for her own children but her brothers and sisters.
Mrs Newton said a carefree holiday would make a "world of difference".
Brothers Mahir, 12, and Jeton Lika, 9, who are terminally ill and are unlikely to see their teenage years, have also been invited to take part in the trip.
She added: "It was a big shock to see these two boys Mahir and Jeton now unable to walk.
"Jeton looked so sad with his little white face and a scared look in his eyes.
"They brightened up enormously when I asked them if they would like to come to the seaside again."
To donate, get in touch with Val on 01269 843345 or send items, including biscuits, sweets, breakfast cereals, colouring books, along with pens and pencils to her at Tycroes, Maesybont, Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire SA14 7HD.
People can also go to www.walesromanianaid.co.uk to lend their support.
