DESPERATELY needed funds to help orphans and the sick in Macedonia should hopefully be raised at a special event in Bere Alston Parish Hall this Saturday. Three Bere Alston residents recently returned from an aid mission to the country and are also seeking donations of goods for their return trip at the beginning of June. Trevor Paddon-Hall has been visiting Macedonia for several years on behalf of the charity Running on Wheels, taking equipment for orphanages and other aid. On this occasion he was able to present a Dodge fire engine plus uniforms and equipment donated by Cornwall Fire Service to Resen Municipality fire station. Also helping on the visit were Samantha Holliday and Rebecca Leithall from Bere Alston United Church. At Mother Teresa's Orphanage, Samantha, who is a teacher's assistant from Tavistock Community Pre School, and Rebecca, who is studying at Southampton University, looked after the children and a new baby recently admitted. Trevor said: 'We delivered food parcels and medical aid to Demir Hisar and Gevgelija Mental institutions and food parcels to outlying villages. We also took toys, vitamins to an orphanage where we will be painting the bedrooms and bringing new beds and mattresses later in the year. A doctor from Derriford hospital and his pharmacist wife accompanied them to help assess the hospital's needs and that of the ambulance service. They also looked at a site given by the army to the Orthodox Church for drug rehabilitation. Trevor, Rebecca and Samantha intend to return to Macedonia during the first week of June, together with Eddie O'Loughlin from the Irish Charity Ros Tobair They would welcome donations of dried foods, rice, pasta, porridge, dried milk, lentils, spaghetti and cooking oil for three soup kitchens, which can be handed in to Hope Cottage, next to Bere Alston United Church, on weekday mornings. Alternatively contact Trevor on 840091 for collection. Blankets, sewing machines, good clothing, sleeping bags, hearing aids and walking sticks arealso needed. The fundraising event takes place this Saturday, between 2pm and 4.30pm and will include a variety of stalls ranging from toys, crafts and jewellery to a raffle and refreshments.
