THE Okehampton-based House of Rachel charity is appealing for funding to help develop a sensory room at an orphanage for children with special needs in Bulgaria. The charity is once again visiting Krivnya Orphanage this year to carry out important building works at the site. Last year, the charity's building team renovated the building, putting new windows, suspended ceilings, lighting, and laminate flooring into two newly decorated classrooms, and children's bedrooms were redecorated. The communal living area was painted with bright frescos. Brand new toilets were installed, the floors were retiled and vital plumbing repairs were carried out. The hard work ensured the orphanage fought off the threat of closure. This year, the House of Rachel team will be concentrating on building a sensory room and a rest room. On May 11, a two member team will fly to Bulgaria to sort out materials and ensure everything is ready when the building team arrives at Krivnya on June 6. Charity founder Andrew Morgan is planning to visit the sensory rooms at Okehampton College and Hatherleigh Children's Centre to fully understand the requirements of such a room. He said: 'The children at Krivnya have varying degrees of special needs and as such a sensory room will be of considerable benefit to them. 'There are a few redundant rooms which we will renovate and convert. 'I am hopeful that we can buy all the equipment for the sensory room too. 'In addition to the sensory room and rest room we will tackle another toilet block. 'Unfortunately the toilets really are in a dreadfully unhygienic state so we will renovate a few more to add to the ones we did last year. 'We have made contact with a small group of ex-pats in the area who are now helping us in many ways. 'One chap has a van and regularly travels between the UK and Bulgaria and will help to transport materials. 'Another has offered to help source materials in Bulgaria and take them to the orphanage while another will join us on site to run activities with the children.' Andrew has launched an online appeal to find funding for equipment to go in the new sensory room. If you would like to donate, visit http://www.gofundme.com/7rebng">www.gofundme.com/7rebng