Orphan Hope

MANCHESTER, U K (The Asian News) - A COUPLE who bought an Indian orphanage to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary have secured £5,000 towards it after hosting their first charity fund-raiser.

Kind-hearted Peter and Donna Foulds held an auction on Saturday 17 October at the Sun Dragon restaurant in Haslingden to benefit 173 children at Orphan Hope in South East India.

Grandfather-of-three Peter, 49, who lives in Lumb, said: "It costs us £1,000 a month to run the school and pay the teachers’ wages. So the great news is that the next five months are covered."

More than 65 people attended the Blackburn Road restaurant where prizes donated for auction included a signed Burnley football, haircut and meal vouchers and clay pigeon shooting.

Peter and Donna rescued an orphanage in the town of Bhimavaram in July last year by purchasing a building which had shut down.

They have since spent more than £25,000 on the school and shelter.

After visiting the orphanage in November last year and meeting the children they helped, the pair – who own Springvale Leather in Rawtenstall – successfully registered the facility as a charity.

"We are educating the children in the hope that this will enable them to get jobs in the future and start to break down the hold of poverty within that area," said Peter.

Already up and running is a 500 club which aims to have 500 people donating £2 each month towards the charity.

Donna and Peter are also hoping to buy a plot of land so they can turn it into a playground, but need to raise £10,000.

Peter said: "This is very close to our hearts. We are also trying to raise enough money so each child can have a school meal each day."

He added: "The charity night was our first attempt to raise money in a more public way and we had a great time and are very grateful as without the generosity of people we could not have done this."

To make a donation to Orphan Hope you can call 01706 234678, email info@orphanhope.co.uk or visit www.orphanagehope.co.uk.

Copyright 2009 The Asian News
Updated 540 hours ago   Article ID# 164116

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