The Epiphany Trust, Dedicated to Helping Others...

A friend of mine and I volunteer for a UK charity called the Epiphany Trust who run a project in Lugoj, Romania that aims to support Orphans with physical and mental disabilities. 

The Centre that we work with have over 60 children aged from 3 to 27, all with some form of disability. Earlier last year they lost their entire budget for supplies, which means they are desperate for anything that will stimulate the children. 

After the success of our trip in Christmas 2011, this year we are going over for 10 days in August with a 14 strong group of volunteers from all over the UK. (For more information on our trip in Chrismas 2011, listen to Lucy's interview on Stroud FM here)

Any donations would be greatly received; the money we receive will go towards two main areas:

1) We aim to build a completely new outdoor play area. 

At the moment, there is no other word for the outdoor space that the children spend the majority of their time in in the summer than: "shabby". Swings are hanging off their chains, see saws no longer work, and the slide is best left alone. 

The project to update their outside space will not only mean that the children will be able to play in a safer environment in the future, but we will also involve the more able ones in the building process, meaning they can see the project from start to finish.

2) A half-way house being built for the older orphans who the charity will work with to integrate into society. 

The aim of the half-way house is to teach the older, more able orphans to learn how to live outside of institutionalised life. They will learn everything from how to use a knife and fork to how to manage a full time job. 

Any sized donation will be hugely appreciated. If you are donating on behalf of a business, Emily or I are happy to come and provide your employees with a presentation of where your money has been used. 

As well as financial donations, we would also be grateful for any physical donations. For a list of the items the orphanage need, please click here

Thank you in advance for your kind dontations,

Lucy Bourne and Emily Summers