Two women from a solicitors firm will be joining a vital convoy to help some of Bulgaria’s most deprived children.

Almost 60 percent of Bulgaria’s children are deprived of what UNICEF considers elementary for a healthy childhood.

But Allison Chatto, a senior professional at Simpson Millar and a Labour councillor for Gateshead, and Amanda Davis, who is based in the firm’s Wimbledon office, are hoping to help by joining the convoy which delivers humanitarian aid to the country.

The aid delivery takes the form of a ten-lorry strong convoy led by the Communication Workers’ Union Humanitarian Aid organisation (CWUHA) and manned by volunteers from Royal Mail, BT, Simpson Millar and other supporters.

The aid will go to schools, single-parent hostels, hospitals, orphanages and families in desperate need.

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2012 CWUHA convoy is welcomed by the children (Allison Chatto in the middle in a white t-shirt)

Ms Chatto, who is about to embark on her second trip with the convoy, said: “The lorry and all the aid carried inside it is funded by Simpson Millar and private donations. By personally delivering it all we can guarantee that those in most desperate need benefit from the kindness of businesses and individuals alike. I even take pictures en-route to show what a real difference a teddy bear or new pair of shoes can make.

"With just one month to go, our lorry is only half full and we have to pull out all the stops to make sure not even a single sq ft sits bare by the time we leave.

“There can be long days; sometimes you can be driving from 7am until 7pm. However, you are instantly reminded of the reason you are doing it when you reach the final destination and come face to face with some of Europe’s poorest children.

“It can be quite harrowing and disturbing; these children really do not have much. The biggest and strongest men are sniffling wrecks by the time the mission is over. Of course it gets to me and I really miss my children when I’m away. They themselves are keen to get involved and would probably stowaway in the back if they could.”

Ms Chatto, who is the proud mum of two boys and soon-to-be Grandma, said: “The poverty in Eastern Europe is really quite severe and those poor children so desperately need toys, medical supplies and other things that we simply take for granted.”

Simpson Millar solicitors has supported the project for more than fifteen years and even the firm’s managing partner, Peter Watson has featured among the courageous convoy volunteers.

He said: “Having made the journey as part of the convoy myself, I have seen first-hand how the faces of children light up when they catch a first glimpse of the convoy. The aid that the CWUHA delivers is absolutely invaluable and as a firm we will continue to throw our support behind the campaign. It is a charity that we are firmly committed to and I wish Allison and Amanda all the best of luck on this year’s journey.”

The convoy is due to depart from Dover on September 6.

For more information, and to make a donation, visit justgiving.com/SimpsonMillarCharityConvoy.