Four members of Oxford University are taking their skills in helping handicapped children into the orphanages and refugee camps of Bulgaria.

They will develop organised activities, take and make toys and equipment and help train the staff to stimulate the children.

All four are members of KEEN, Kids Enjoy Exercise Now, and will be working for the charity Magdalen College Aid to the Balkans.

Going on the three-week trip in August will be medical students Margaret Davidson, 21, and Laura Wilkins, 21, from St Hilda's College, politics and economics student Michael Hugman, 21, from Exeter College and Oxford graduate Peter Terington, 29, now a care worker in the city.

More than 40 Oxford University students are doing work in Bosnia and other countries in the Balkans with the charity.

Speaking from her home in Hamilton, Scotland, where she has just raised more than £500 towards the trip with a coffee morning, Miss Davidson said: "There is a lot of work to do. The orphanages are in a poor state with untrained staff, very reminiscent of those in Romania.

"We will be initially in Varna but doing what we can wherever we can."

All four are working together to get money to take to Bulgaria where they will spend it on whatever is available to help the chilren.

Miss Davidson said: "That way we help their economy and show that things to interest the children can be made from whatever is at hand."

A raffle will be drawn on July 31. Tickets go on sale this week.

Miss Davidson said: "We are hoping to get shops and companies to help this work by giving items to be raffled."

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Margaret on 07779 297072 or Peter Terington at 15 Norham Gardens, Oxfordon 01865 454615.