Pals' trip to boost work on orphanage

Harry Wilkes and his son-in-law Andy Beard raised £1,665 for the Myaki Project last year.

They were originally due to have gone to the eastern European country in August last year with the Preston-based International Aid Trust charity, but due to the credit crunch the trip was postponed.

Harry, aged 63, of Viewfield Avenue, said he and 41-year-old Andy, of Cornwall Road, were now flying out on May 10.

"It will be my third time out to the Ukraine and a totally new venture for Andy," said Harry, a semi-retired electrician.

The project is to build two units to accommodate 24 abandoned and orphaned youngsters in each.

Harry and Andy, who works installing computers in schools for Staffordshire County Council, raised money towards the project from two charity dances, a coffee morning at Chadsmoor Methodist Church, a car boot sale and raffle.

"With the state of the economy the work to be done has had to be scaled down using the funds that have been raised. Whereas 27 volunteers were going originally it has now been reduced to 13," said Harry.

The group, mainly from Preston, will first travel to Doradinka home in Monteviluvka which is north of the capital Kiev were they will be creating a play park with £3,500 worth of play equipment. On completion they then travel south to Myaki which is west of Odessa by the Black Sea.

"Here we go to New Hope home where the second building is being done. We shall be putting in the electrics, plumbing and insulation and cladding.

"From this we then travel to the Myaki recuperation camp to start replacing windows, toilet seats, door handles and do improvements as required," explained Harry.

He said they wanted to thank everyone who has helped raise the money.