STUDENT Joseph Hill and his friends will make the journey to two Romanian orphanages in July to help 34 children they have never met.

Joseph, aged 18, a former student at Fred Longworth High School, Tyldesley, explained: "We feel it's worth helping children who have had lots of bad things happen in their lives. We want to step outside our comfort zones, to be challenged, to help others less fortunate than us."

Joseph who attends the Marshal Street branch of Wigan and Leigh College where he is studying for A-levels, is a member of Christ Church Pennington Youth group based in Leigh.

The plan was born when the youth group were on a camping holiday in the Lake District last summer. They discussed the idea of doing work overseas. The idea was put to Christ Church's youth worker, Craig Abbott, who organised the trip under the umbrella of the Oasis Trust -- a British charity founded in 1985.

The youngsters on the team are aged 15- to 18-years-old, and will be accompanied by five experienced adult youth leaders. For two weeks they will be involved in building work, painting, decorating and gardening at the privately owned orphanages. They will also spend time with the children.

Joseph said: "We just want the chance to put our beliefs into action and make a difference to someone, somewhere.

"It's a chance to go and do something worthwhile and to get insight into another culture."

Student Adam Ward, also aged 18, hopes one day to work in disadvantaged countries. He said: "There is an unfair balance in standards of living in the world. I want to do something to change it."

The youngest member of the group, 15-year-old Anna Piotrowska said: "It's only two weeks of my life and I want to help the orphans."

Eight members of the team are still in full-time education and need help to pay for their flights and accommodation. Anyone who can offer financial support for the project can contact Vicky Tyrrell, Christ Church Pennington, Schofield Street, Leigh, WN7 4HT or ring her on freephone 0870 607 5071.

Pic Caption:

VOLUNTEERS: Front row (from left): youth leaders Vicky Tyrrell, Ged Tyrell, and Mark Cain; Centre: Jessica Heaton, Sara Shabbar, Sara Taylor, Anna Piotrowska, Phillipa Roberts, Anna Richardson and youth worker Craig Abbott; Back: youth leader Peter Roberts, Andrew Crompton, Joseph Hill and Steven Richardson (Adam Ward was absent).