About us

How it all began

Our connection with the orphanages started 4 years ago when we visited Bulgaria for totally selfish reasons (to buy a house). During our visit, a Bulgarian friend introduced us to the Orphans (Elhovo) and their plight.

So, compelled to do something, on our subsequent trips we built up an enviable set of muscles carrying suitcases across containing a few things for the children. In January 2007, having made approximately 12 visits and just been slapped with a rather hefty excess baggage charges, some bright spark had a Eureka moment (I’m not sure if it was Richard or myself – but we’ll blame Richard anyway).

The bright idea? – Buy a van, fill it with items for the children and drive it across to Bulgaria. So, we decided to contact some business associates and a few family friends to ask them for some basic necessities like washing powder, toothpaste nappies etc and a small donation of £5 towards the transportation costs. We hoped that by doing this and placing a small appeal on local radio, we would be able to fill the van in time for summer – weren’t we in for a shock! Word soon got out and very soon we were inundated, unable to find a tardis, we send a container instead of the van!

And so, from a suitcase to a container-
The “Basic Necessities Appeal” was born!

We have tried to keep everyone updated with our progress and have produced a few newsletters detailing our major trips so far. So, for more comprehensive information about our antics to date, please click on the links to our past newsletters below.

I would like to take this opportunity to give my heartfelt thanks to the small team of people who regularly offer there time to help pack all the boxes and to keep me sane. You know who you are – without you we would not have achieved so much.

Click here for our up-to-date NEWSLETTER: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3.