A kind-hearted woman from Bala who was touched by the plight of underprivileged children in Romania has sent them more than 50 tonnes of aid thanks to support from the distribution firm she works for.

Jayne Griffiths, who is part of the sales team at McCarthy Distribution, says she “cried for a week” when friends working as pastors in a Romanian church showed her a photograph of two children living in terrible conditions.

From that moment she decided to make it her mission to help disadvantaged families in Romania, and seven years on her initiative ‘Love on a Pallet’ has shipped a whopping 108 pallets containing 55 tonnes of donated items such as food, clothes, bedding, toys and equipment.

McCarthy Distribution, based on Wrexham Industrial Estate, has supported Jayne’s efforts by driving the aid down to Essex, free of charge, where it is collected by a Romanian haulage firm.

Jayne, who lives in Bala, said: “I saw this picture and I cried for a week. It really resonated with me. What hit me the most was the fact it was taken on Christmas Eve.

“Here you’re either out celebrating or at home with a house full of people. You’ve got presents under the tree and cupboards overflowing with food and yet here are these kids with nothing.

“I just knew I had to do something. I’ve worked in transport for 30 years. I know how to get things done and the rest has been down to generosity.

“McCarthy Distribution do the UK leg for us for free which takes 20 per cent of the overall cost away. It’s fantastic because we’d really struggle without that support.

“We also receive wonderful support from people and businesses in Bala. We have a team of ladies across north Wales who knit and crochet for us.

“Everyone does a little bit to make a lot happen.”

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