STUDENTS have offered a hand of friendship and support to a small Baltic republic after hearing of the plight of orphans.

Health and social care students at New College, Durham, recently staged a collection to back Project Lithuania, now in its sixth year.

They have since sorted and packaged the proceeds, including a variety of clothing, food and toiletry items, to send to Valacampe orphanage, in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius.

The orphanage is dependent on the contributions it receives throughout the year from individuals and organisations to support its 30-plus youngsters.

It also has to generate income not only to sustain the orphanage, but also to offer support to other families in need of help.

New College health and social care course leader Judith Vaughan was impressed at the way the group organised itself and the enthusiasm shown throughout the project.

"The group worked very well together. I was particularly impressed, not only with the way they organised themselves, but also the way in which they got on with the varying tasks they set themselves."

The students requested donations of clothing, food and toiletries from across the college, then sorted them into decorated shoe boxes ready for shipping.

One of the group, Kayleigh Woolf, described the experience as "very rewarding".

"We hope the girls and boys in the orphanage get as much fun out of the items we've sent them as we did in collecting and sending them," she said.

She thanked Mrs Vaughan for her support and encouragement during the project.