We believe that every child, regardless of ability, ethnicity, creed or fortune should have the opportunity to realize their potential and be integrated into society whenever possible.

The Biggin Hill Romanian group (BHRG) works in Comanesti in the Bacau region of Romania which is a particularly deprived area because of high unemployment due to the closure of the mines and the decline in the wood industry after the withdrawal of the Soviet Union.

It was founded in 1990 by a group of volunteers in response to a television appeal reporting the deprivation experienced by children and their families in Romania. The initial remit was to work with local authorities to deliver much needed supplies to orphanages, children’s homes, schools and churches. This widened into providing additional support to socially disadvantaged as well as disabled children and their families at home.

The group was then joined by some volunteers from Poole and now works from both centres, helping to fund and maintain a special needs school (The Robert Cole Centre), an establishment for young people (Foundations For Life Centre) and is also in the process of equipping and setting up a halfway house for homeless young women who are at risk,  (The Rose Centre).