THERE'S not a child who doesn't know the story of Pinocchio, the little puppet whose quest to become a real boy led him on a whole host of adventures.

And it's a twist on that tale, of a little carpet puppet who will become a human if he follows advice that keeps him safe and well, which is now being used to help children survive across the world.

Originally from Ireland, Johnie McGlade has spent more than ten years in the world's most desperate and war-torn areas, coming face to face with the unspeakable horrors perpetrated by man and nature.

As an aid worker for organisations such as War Child, he has worked in the Sudan, Rwanda, East Timor and Angola, experiencing the desperate results of manmade conflict or natural disasters. He's built bunkers so he and his fellow aid workers could hide from hostile shelling and helped bury the hundreds of thousands of dead in Somalia.

But that hasn't dampened his enthusiasm for his most passionate endeavour to date - which is why he made his way to the North-East this week.

Earlier this year, Johnie launched No Strings, an international charity with an office in Newcastle, which uses puppets to educate youngsters on a whole range of issues.

It's an international campaign, with plans to use this device in endless ways from teaching children in Afghanistan about land mine safety to working on everything from HIV and AIDS to food and nutrition.

"When I travelled around, I always took with me a puppet from when I worked as a chef in the Cayman Islands," says Johnie. "I used to see the reaction I got from the children everywhere. "It didn't matter what country they were from, it always got an amazing response."

Johnie recruited a wide number of celebrities to support him in No Strings, including actors Neil Morrisey and Hugo Speer. The puppets have been created by no less than a team from Jim Henson's Creature Shop, New York-based Kathryn Mullen and Michael K Frith, who between them have created puppets for everything from The Muppets to Fraggle Rock.

They have come up with a whole host of new puppets for No Strings' first project, the adventures of Chuchi, the little carpet boy who is being used to raise land mine awareness in Afghanistan.

The frightening truth is that it will take a generation to clear these death traps and until they go, youngsters will continue to lose life and limbs.

It is hoped that an event being held in the North-East will really help get the show on the road.

The Creative North-East Awards, on Saturday, September 13, is being used to showcase the region's artistic talent with a glitzy night at Gateshead's The Baltic hosted by Neil Morrisey - and the proceeds will go to No Strings.

Up for grabs on the night are a host of auction and raffle prizes such as the chance to be a character in Viz magazine and even acquire Alan Shearer's socks. It's already won the support of sponsors including One NorthEast, One World Productions, solicitors Dickinson Dees and Middlesbrough's Hillstreet shopping centre. The public can vote in various categories and the final selection will be made by a panel of judges and announced on the night.

"It's great that the North-East is supporting this event and children across the world, including in this area, will also benefit from No Strings," says Johnie.

*You can vote via the website at www.creativenortheast.co.uk. Tickets for the event at The Baltic, including an after-event party at Newcastle's Copthorne Hotel, are £40. £10 tickets for the party are available by calling 0191-261 9824.