by PETE HENSHAW

A charity is aiming to raise more than £3,500 for street children in India. And its Nantwich chairman is hoping local generosity will boost the fund-raising coffers to a record high.

The Railway Children Charity is running its annual Christmas card sale using cards which have been hand-crafted by children from Ahmedabad in Western India.

The project is in its third year and continues to grow as railway companies use the cards for their corporate greetings.

However, anyone can buy the cards and the proceeds are to go directly to help the street-children who crafted them.

Chairman, David Maidment, explained that a lot of the children who produce the cards have been found on the streets around railway stations in India.

The cards are all unique with the children basing their artwork on a design but then adding their own touches.

"The children make the cards as part of their education and the creative work helps show them they can do something worthwhile," added Mr Maidment.

The cards are made using special paint techniques, and are decorated with pressed wild flowers. Kind volunteers from the borough are helping out by sticking in corporate greetings for the bigger companies.

The money raised goes directly to benefit the children with a third going into their very own bank account, a third going to their parents, if traceable, and a third going towards a group trip.

"The cards have become more popular with 700 sold in the first year and 2,000 last year but we are doing this for the benefit of the children, as they do it for fun," added Mr Maidment.

Anyone who would like to buy some of the cards can contact Mr Maidment at the Railway Children Charity on 251571.