Mum moved by plight of orphans

A SHAW mum is hosting a glittering event in aid of orphans in Thailand after being moved by witnessing their suffering.

Hanna Simpson (28) has organised an entertainment evening at Shaw’s Tara leisure centre to raise vital funds for the Home and Life Orphanage.

The children’s community nurse visited Phuket in February while travelling and was inspired to help after visiting the orphanage.

Natural disasters, including a devastating tsunami, have had lasting effects on children who lost their families and homes.

Hanna said: “I spoke to a friend who supports the orphanage and asked if I could call in and take a couple of suitcases of stuff and was sold as soon as I stepped in. It has a very homely feeling whereas a lot are very institutionalised. It’s like walking into a family.

“But there’s a vast amount of children that need to be looked after. Relief floods in initially however aid is still needed to support the victims and the children who struggle to grow into adulthood without finances to help them on their way. The children literally have two outfits and one pair of shoes. With any money donated they have to pay for education and health care and a lot of the children have health care needs.

“The children were left to fend for themselves after the tsunami and it took a while for relief aid to get put in place and they were exploited.

On her return, Hanna decided to organise the fundraiser to help and, while it’s been hard work, she is delighted with the support.

Live acts

The event at the Grains Road centre on Friday, from 7pm, will star two live acts, Irish band Erin the Green and vocal group Fantasy, who have given their time for free. There will also be a buffet and balloon raffle with fantastic prizes. Hanna, who works for NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, and her eight-year-old daughter Ella will travel out to Thailand in February to present the proceeds.

She hopes to raise around £4,000 to help children when they are due to leave the orphanage.

She said: “When the children hit 16 they are not qualified to stay at the orphanage and there are no funds available to go out and do anything. It’s easy to give money but it doesn’t help them in the long-run to be self-sufficient. The orphanage wants to set up a coffee shop so they can work there and earn money.”

Tickets cost £15 adults, £7.50 children and are available from CK Definition hairdressers on Buckstones Road, Shaw, or contact Hanna on 01706 670734. She is also appealing for more raffle prizes or sponsorship, with sponsors being given advertising.