A COUPLE who run a charity helping people in poverty in Romania are appealing for a new base.

John and Andrea Scott run SWEEPS – South-West England European Prayer and Support – a charity which delivers food, clothing and other essential items to people in desperate need in Romania.

The charity is based at their home in Durleigh Road, Bridgwater, but John and Andrea say it is getting costlier and more difficult to run each year.

Andrea, 60, said: “We have a three-storey house and we have to take everything which comes in upstairs to store it.

“My husband’s 63, and I’m disabled and can’t do anything physical any more.

“We rent a self-storage unit, but that’s costly and we could put that money to better use.”

Over the past 22 years the Scotts have sent out 100 lorry loads of items to orphanages, clinics, psychiatric hospitals and other organisations in Romania.

They also run a Christmas appeal which sees around 1,000 shoeboxes full of gifts despatched each year.

The couple were inspired to help after John visited Romania over 20 years ago and saw the horrors of the Ceausescu regime.

Though the situation has improved, Andrea says aid is still needed there.

She said: “Many people visit Romania, see people driving around in posh cars and think it’s wonderful, but that’s only the richest 10%.

“Many people, particularly the elderly, disabled and those in more remote villages, are still living in desperate conditions.

“Our lead worker in Romania says disabled people have no incontinence pads and have to urinate in their clothing.

“It breaks my heart when I hear that.”

Anybody who can offer the Scotts a garage or warehouse can call 01278-421987.