A PAEDIATRICIAN is hoping the plight of millions of untreated disabled children in India will move people to join a support group.

The Indian Children's Medical Trust was recently formed in India to provide the sub-continent's first ever rehabilitation and treatment centre for disabled children.

Last month the trust set up their UK headquarters at the Auckland Business Centre in St Helen Auckland, where paediatrician Dr Narain Rajoria, from Bishop Auckland General Hospital, is leading the appeal to set up a support group for the charity.

Nearly one sixth of the world's children live in India, where the government is trying to set up a basic health service for children, but health facilities for disabled children are almost non-existent.

Thousands with impairments or disabilities go undiagnosed and there is little or no help for those that are diagnosed.

The Indian Children's Medical Trust hopes to set up a £7m Children's Neuro-sciences and Rehabilitation Institute in Jaipur, where the Government has donated 40,000 square metres of land for the project.

Dr Rajoria said: "I have seen what we do for children here and that's where the inspiration for the charity has come from.

"There is no system for care of disabled children in India. If their disabilities are only mild, they may go to a normal school. More often they don't go anywhere. Once we have this institute, that would fulfil all the needs of the children."

Anyone who would like to help, should call the trust on (01388) 665083 or e-mail info.uk.