A kind-hearted widower from Longwell Green has been awarded this month's Bristol Evening Post and AXA Gold Star Award for his efforts on behalf of orphaned children in India.

Ted Moreman's dream of creating a new home for 45 penniless orphans became a reality after three years of fund-raising.

The children who were in the care of the El Shaddai Trust in Goa were being forced out of their orphanage by their landlord, who wanted to reclaim the building. However, the 79-year-old was so moved when he heard about the children's plight that he decided to step in.

In 1999 he set about raising thousands of pounds through talks and collections as well as selling 1,500 copies of a book about his experiences on a sponsored walk from Bristol to Ilfracombe. Mr Moreman raised £33,000 which paid for the purchase of a building named the House of Kathleen - in memory of his late wife who died in 1997.

However, he still needs to raise more money to help refurbish the house to accommodate the children and improve the existing facilities. Mr Moreman will be visiting the house in Goa in November and he will be using a camcorder to make a short film about the children and their new home.

He will be showing the film during a fund-raising show he is organising at The Forum in Bath next June which will include jazz guitarist Frank Evans.

As a Gold Star winner, he will now be among other winners and celebrity guests at a special lunch being held in December at the Aztec West Hotel at Almondsbury.

He said: "I am really taken aback but I am very pleased to accept this honour.
"If I can do anything to get publicity for the House of Kathleen then so much the better but I didn't do this for myself.
"I still need to raise around £2,000 for the orphanage and hopefully if we fill enough of the seats at The Forum we will be able to find that money and finish the work."

Mike Lowe, editor of the Evening Post, said: "What Ted has achieved on behalf of these children is truly inspiring.
"He has done a wonderful thing by taking up the cause of the orphans of Goa to provide them with shelter and security."

Jos Harrison, community partnership manager for AXA, said: "Ted has made a fantastic effort in support of this cause which it is clear that he strongly believes in and he deserves every credit.
"If it had not been for his hard work and determination these children may have found themselves without a roof over their heads.
"Well done to Ted for setting a shining example to all of us."

If you would like to make a donation to Mr Moreman, please send a cheques made out to El Shaddai TMC to 5 Sheridan Way, Longwell Green, Bristol BS30 9UE.