A WEYMOUTH woman has her heart set on supporting orphans in Thailand after a trip revealed the harsh reality for many children.

Sheena Lee, 53, volunteered at Baan San Fan Orphanage in the Phang Nga province of Thailand for six weeks last November and returned to Dorset determined to make a difference.

Sheena is hosting the first of many fundraising events in a 'Buy a Brick' charity night at the Dorset Yacht Club in Weymouth tomorrow night, in order to raise money to build a library for the orphans.

The orphanage's primary role is to provide a place where vulnerable children can go and receive the care and attention which they need.

The original orphanage was formed after the tsunami but those children have now grown up and the newest additions normally come because their families have financial problems, often related to addictions, and can no longer provide or care for them.

The alternative for many of these children would have been living on the streets and eventually involvement in the drugs or prostitution trades.

Baan San Fan can accommodate forty children but a lack of financial support means it is able to care for only twelve at the moment.

Sheena said: "I got made redundant last year and decided to go to Thailand to volunteer.

"I spend several weeks there, working with the children in the classroom and in the garden, and helping them in their efforts to become self-sustainable.

"I thought I’d go over there, regain my belief in ‘mankind’, come back and get on with my life, but this is something that will now be a life long commitment.

"When I returned for the first time from Thailand I realised that there was a lot I could do here to help them so I got involved in fundraising.

"Through adversity, I acquired a strength I never knew I had, which led me to do what I’m now doing. I have never felt so content and happy with life.

"I have a lot of plans in the pipeline and I am planning to set up my own business in Brewers Quay, called Sakks.

"The orphanage make and sell some beautiful products, mainly from recycled rice sacks and I thought I have the passion to drive it so hopefully I will be a popular trader by the summer."

For more information or to help Sheena in her fundraising email sheenalee@hotmail.co.uk