AN Ilminster woman has returned home after working for four months in an orphanage in Cambodia – and has thanked News readers for their help.

Lora Bennett, of Canal Way, flew out to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, in August.

She stayed with a local family while she worked in an orphanage – the placement was organised by the Cambodian Children Against Starvation and Violence Association charity.

She had appealed to News readers for pens, pencils and other stationery to help in her work with the children – and you did not let her down.

“The amount of stationery that was donated was staggering and it made such a difference to the well-being of the children and the educational programme the orphanage was running,” she said.

“I would like to thank the News and its readers for their wonderful support and donations.

“I’d also like to thank Critical Software and Gooch and Housego, who have supported by the children by helping CCASVA to remain financially stable until at least June this year.”

Lora told the News that the children she worked with were of all ages and different backgrounds.

“Some were orphaned, some were sold into the child sex trade, some were forced to beg on the street by their families, some were forced into drug and alcohol addiction, while some had been starved and had been beaten and raped,” she said.

“The centre organised by CCASVA acts as a full-time 24-hour sanctuary to help the children piece together their lives.”