Hull Daily Mail, Blundells Corner
Beverley Road, Hull HU3 1XS, UK
28 October 2002

East YORKSHIRE: Caring grandmother Elaine Chomyszak has returned to the poverty-stricken country where she first set eyes on little Luda Balan.

Volunteer aid worker Mrs Chomyszak brought Luda to the UK six months ago in the hope that doctors here could treat the child's crippling genetic condition.

With the help of 2,000 Mail readers who supported our Let Luda Stay campaign, the little girl now has Home Office permission to remain in the UK indefinitely.

And although Elaine, from Tibthorpe, near Driffield, is over the moon that Luda can now have the treatment she needs, the 58-year-old supply teacher has never forgotten all the little children left behind in the Ukraine.

So she and son-in-law Simon Kendall, from Burton Agnes, near Bridlington, went on a mercy mission to deliver boxes of aid to the orphanages.

She said: "We have had a terrific success with Luda's residency application, but I could never turn my back on the other children out there who also need our help.

"Simon and I will be delivering the boxes of gifts, toiletries and warm clothing that the people of East Yorkshire have donated."

She added: "Luda has now been referred for treatment at Sheffield Children's Hospital by our GP.

"She has a long programme of surgery ahead of her and we know that it will not be easy, but she is an incredibly brave little girl."