Students from Teesside are bringing Christmas gift bags to Romania.

Caring Teesside students are launching an appeal for Christmas presents, money and donations before they embark on a trip to Romania.

Health, social care and childcare students from Redcar and Cleveland College are preparing to head to the country to visit needy children and pensioners at two orphanages and an elderly care home.

They're hoping that to make their journey truly memorable, they can give each child and pensioner a Christmas gift bag, containing a mixture of essential items and luxury bits and pieces, Gazette Live reports.

As well as the presents, once the students arrive they will be buying bulkier items such as towels, clothing, bedding and household equipment using any other donations they have received.

Speaking to the newspaper, tutors Claire Barwick and Gillian Morgan said that they have taken classes to Romania for the past five years, however, this will be the first time they make a winter trip.

This was after an orphanage asked them to make a Christmas visit.

Ms Barwick said: "This will be my sixth visit, but I am still incredibly moved during every trip and I know this year will be no different for our students."

Once in Romania, they will give more than 80 children in a state orphanage and Caminul Felix-run orphanage Christmas gift bags, before donating presents to the elderly at a home in Oradea.

The group also hoped to be able to bring up to £750 with them to pay for bulkier items while they are in the country.

Student Emma Dobie, from Redcar, told the publication that she was looking forward to her third trip more than ever as it was taking place in the run up to Christmas.

"I love to go because I want to make a difference to someone's life and to support people who are less fortunate than me," she added.

The group will set off on November 5th and all donations must be made by October 31st.

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