A CHARITY worker told yesterday how he received a death threat from the Russian mafia.

Convoy Aid founder Rod Jones said he offended the ruthless killers after helping one of their victims - a seven-year-old child.

The girl's father, a forestry commission manager, is said to have angered the criminal network by standing up to their multi-million pound racket in stolen timber.

Mr Jones, 55, from Middlesbrough, said the gangsters attacked the girl, identifed only as Mariana, as she played in the garden of her home in Romania. They poured a gallon drum of petrol over her and set her on fire.

Neighbours did what they could to put out the flames, but the child suffered 85 per cent burns and needs to be sprayed with an expensive antibiotic every day to stop infection.

Her family approached Mr Jones, who was delivering essential supplies to a nearby district, following one of his frequent overland mercy missions.

Since then, the chilling threat was sent to him via a Romanian contact.

"This man said 'I have a message for you: stay away'," said Mr Jones. "These people have friends in England, Germany and France. If you want to continue your work in Romania, leave this one alone.

"He said you don't want to get involved in this - it's not your business."

However, Mr Jones said he plans to return to Romania in three weeks with a truck load of equipment donated by Darlington Memorial Hospital - ironically for burns victims.

"I am worried - very worried," he said. "I have to be very careful whatever it is I am doing. I am taking it very seriously, but you just can't walk away from a child like that."

Mr Jones has launched an appeal for funds to give Mariana the best chance of survival. The antibiotic spray, from Germany, costs £50 a bottle and the girl's parents use one bottle every two-and-a-half-days.

"It is costing us £100 a week - money Convoy Aid has not got," he said.

"As soon as we receive money, we are sending it to her - but this is just one little girl. It is putting a hell of a strain on the charity."

Anyone wishing to help Mariana can send a donation to the Convoy Aid, care of Feed a Child Cafe, 16a Ramsgate, Stockton.