AS an air hostess, Cheryl Page is well used to flying to exotic locations around the world, but her latest destination is one that will never feature in any travel brochure.

For Mrs Page's most recent journey was a harrowing and heartbreaking three-day trip to a Romanian children's hospice which cares for youngsters dying from Aids. She and a colleague, who both work for airline company Monarch, were selected for the journey to the St Laurence's Children's Hospice in Cernadorsa, 120 miles from Bucharest, to see how the money is being spent.

Mrs Page (30) of Riverside Road, Radcliffe, explained: "Monarch has been collecting money for the 'Children in Distress' charity on behalf of one of our charters, Direct Holidays. I'm sure many local people who have flown with our airline have contributed to the charity.

"The charity was formed in 1989 after a parish priest, the Rev John Walmsley, went out to deliver aid to the people of Romania," explained Mrs Page.

But he was appalled by what he saw. Orphanages were packed full of ill, deprived children.

They were victims of the previous Romanian dictator who decreed mothers should bear four children each to boost the country's future labour force.

"Terrible poverty forced many people to abandon their children," added Mrs Page. "Packed into orphanages with inadequate food and facilities, these children were soon badly undernourished."

The authorities thought about transfusions. But that decision led to tragedy.

Mrs Page explained: "Unfortunately, much blood was contaminated with the HIV virus and as a result, many children were infected."

The priest raised money to enable the children's hospice to be established in 1991.

Her first glimpse of the children was of many wearing woollen hats because of a scalp infection.

"One little girl had horrendous scarring to her face, due to the HIV virus. Another, Ionica, had been found abandoned on a rubbish tip as a baby. Her screams were heard as rats had eaten several of her fingers and toes."

Mrs Page said many of the children being cared for at the hospice had suffered considerable abuse, hunger and squalor.

"But with a small amount of medical attention, three square meals a day and, most of all, tender loving care, they are truly an amazing example of the human spirit."

Mrs Page, describing the hospice as a "wonderfully jovial place", added: "As much as possible, the children are educated.

"The authorities refuse to allow those with HIV into schools - to them they have no priority and no place in society.

"To look at some of the older children, you would never think they were so ill as they hurtle round, laughing and playing."

Now, given her insight into the work of the charity, the air hostess hopes local people returning home on a Monarch plane will dig deep into their pockets to support "Children in Distress".

She concluded: "The great work the charity is doing is brilliant. They know they can't change the world but the generosity of people, no matter how big or small, helps to make these children's lives a great deal better until the end."

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