STARK, cold orphanages in Bulgaria have been given a facelift – by Huddersfield volunteers.

The homes were transformed into brighter and more welcoming places for dozens of orphans.

Volunteers working for the Huddersfield charity CARITAS visited Bulgaria to take carpets, bedding, clothes and toys to the poverty-stricken children.

Alan Bradford is the chairman of the charity which was set up by a group of musicians and singers who wanted to use their passion for music to help raise funds for charity.

Alan’s daughter Charlene told him about the plight of the orphans in the Balkan country and he wanted to help.

Charlene, 40, has been living in Bulgaria for five years after meeting her Bulgarian partner Tsvetoslav Konakchiev when she was performing in a European dance event.

Later the Meltham woman moved over to the Balkan country to be with Tsvetoslav and the couple had a daughter named Gabriella, now two.

Alan, 68, visited the orphanages where Charlene has been helping out.

He told the Examiner: “They were stark and cold places and these children were getting out of their beds and stepping onto cold concrete floors.

“We all see television reports on the poverty that some live in, but anyone who has seen it first hand will tell you it is far worse to actually see it.

“We may sometimes think we are hard done by, but it is nothing compared to them.

“They show you around their rooms and you look at their meagre possessions and you just think how lucky you are.

“When we took them presents at Christmas they were so excited.”

Retired plastics recycler Alan said it wasn’t hard to find local people and businesses who were willing to help out with fundraising and to give donations.

CARITAS was helped out by many local groups and organisations and Mr Bradford said they wanted to thank to Huddersfield OWLS, Howkel Carpets of Huddersfield, Carlton Alarms of Berry Brow, Calvert and Dawson of Heckmondwike, Balmforth Transport of Oldham, Gibson Taylor Transport of Meltham and all the individual fundraisers.