A WIDOWER who "adopted" a child living more than 4,000 miles away has met his new "daughter" for the first time.

George Gray flew to one of the poorest areas of Brazil to be united with Jessica Augusto Maia, a nine-year-old he has been sponsoring since 1997.

Father-of-two George, of Garden Street, Ramsbottom, adopted Jessica after being moved by a television appeal made by World Vision Charity, urging people to sponsor a child. Jessica now relies on his monthly donation of £15 to give her hope of a better future.

Said George (55), a retired newsagent: "Although I felt as if I already knew her through the many letters she has sent me, it was still an unbelievable experience meeting her in person. We clicked immediately."

Jessica lives in an impoverished area of Fortaleza on the the north east coast of Brazil with her father, Janio, mum, Francisca, sister Jean (6) and brother Giovanni (20). Without the help of George, Jessica would probably be forced to give up school early and have to go out to work. "Sadly, the area that Jessica lives in can only be described as a slum: it has to be seen to believed. Her father works as a Iabourer but he earns very little money. I feel very privileged that I am helping to give her some sort of future."

George, who has lived alone since his wife Maureen died, describes being a child sponsor as "fulfilling and extremely rewarding".

Now he plans to learn Portuguese and return to Brazil in two years to visit Jessica again. He is also urging more people to get involved with the World Vision Charity, which cares for around 70,000 poverty-stricken children worldwide.

"I brought back so many unforgettable memories of a little girl and her family who without help will find it difficult to have any real chance in life. And there are many other girls and boys, just like Jessica," said George, who added:

"I know many people will say that charity begins at home and that there are a lot of poor children in this country, but we have a system in place which means that nobody should starve or be denied an education. In Brazil there just isn't that kind of support available."

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