AT the end of last year I lived for two months in Shatila Refugee Camp in Beirut, Lebanon, where I worked with children of the camp school to create, and for them to perform on site, a 30-minute play, which incorporated music, dance and physical theatre.

Although only aged 11 to 12, the young Palestinian actors staged the play in English and without a prompt. It was a massive success. Given their environment and lack of opportunities, my aim is to invite these wonderful children to perform in the North-East.

The plan is to bring the ten young actors and four of their teachers over this autumn.

The play is provisionally booked into The Sage, Gateshead, The Customs House, South Shields, and Saville Exchange, North Shields.

As always, the stumbling block is finance. However, we are determined to make it happen and have set a £20,000 target. The fundraising includes a sponsored seven-mile walk in North Tyneside on Sunday, June 7.

Anyone who would like to contribute is asked to contact me on 0191-253-1901.

Peter Mortimer, Cullercoats, North Tyneside.