DONATIONS made at the funeral of a popular fundraiser have gone towards providing new beds for Romanian children.

Yvonne Etheridge passed away in March, aged 72, and £4,200 was collected at her funeral at The Salvation Army Citadel, which more than 400 people attended.

A Christian charity called Hope Carriers Trust was set up in 2001 by Mrs Etheridge and her husband, Arthur.

Together, they provided support and donations to children and also adults in Romania.

With the donations, and an anonymous donor, Mr Etheridge bought 74 new mattresses for children at Popesti orphanage which the charity runs in Romania.

He said: "We had kids at the orphanage sleeping on beds that were 30 years old.

"You should have seen the smile on their faces when the new beds were delivered.

"I would like to say a big thank you to the people who donated and for coming to the funeral. By supporting Hope Carriers Trust we have been able to turn these lives around."

Mr Etheridge first went out to Romania in 1997 and the plight of hundreds of children led him to set up the charity with his wife.

In 2010 they opened a day centre in Osorhei, in northwestern Romania, which is used as a base to provide support and donations to those in need.

The charity also provides donations to two schools, the orphanage and to a hospice.

The couple, who lived together in Mill Street in Hereford, worshipped at Bodenham Christian Fellowship

The charity is currently looking at a building in Ledbury which they feel has been under-utilised by the council. It used to be a youth club but it is closed now.

Mr Etheridge said they would like to make it a crisis centre. They are also looking for storage space in Herefordshire to store donations. If you think you can help call Mr Etheridge on 01432 274724.