Local Bobbies head for Romania

Members of Convoy 2000, the Met�s charity for humanitarian aid to Romania have set off on their fourth annual mission

Romanians in need, particularly terminally ill children, children in care and the aged, will have their lives greatly improved through building projects carried out by the Convoy volunteers. A team from Acton police station led by PC Dave O'Grady will once again be working on the Breaza orphanage. In total 140 volunteers will follow, flying out to their respective projects.

Thirteen articulated lorries and two support mini-vans, with a crew of 35, will transport urgently needed supplies, which include building materials and medical equipment, across Europe to Convoy project sites. The Commissioner�s wife, Lady Cynthia Stevens, will again be driving one of the support vehicles.

The Acton police officers will be carrying out repair work on the school that adjoins the orphanage and delivering much needed equipment. Along with officers from Essex Police they will be building a timber workshop, installing boiler and heating systems and revamping the sanitation system. This will be the fourth year that PC O'Grady has joined the convoy.

Commissioner Sir John Stevens said: �Once again I am extremely proud of the hard work and determination of everyone involved in this year�s Convoy 2000 project. I have witnessed first hand the very real difference to people�s lives that the modernisation of facilities and provision of practical equipment makes to those in need of support. As in previous years I have no doubt that we will be warmly welcomed by the people of Romania who work in partnership with us to make each and every project a success.�

This year Convoy 2000 is being supported by former boxing superstar Chris Eubank, who recently attended the charity�s reception evening at New Scotland Yard.

Chris, who is hoping to increase the awareness of the needy in Romania, said: �There is much suffering in the world and we can only take it upon ourselves to help ease that suffering in any way we can. Pain and distress make no distinction when it comes to race, culture, or age. And neither should we, the more fortunate, in helping our brothers and sisters. "

Sir John formed Convoy 2000 with Aid-For-Children, the Essex Police, National Probation Service and Amwell Rotarians, after seeing for himself the tragedies suffered by a large section of the Romanian people after the revolution of 1989.

June 13, 2003

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