A group of lads and dads from Mole Valley are journeying to one of Europe's poorest countries to repair a training centre for youngsters.

Five men are travelling to the Romanian province of Transylvania in April to help patch up an unfinished training room in the village of Ujszekely.

One of them is Alex Ball, 25, a youth worker of Albany Park Road, Leatherhead, who has visited the country five times before.

Alex explained that the project was conceived through the connection between Tim Poole, who runs the Heart for Romania charity, and the B@titude shop in Kingston Road, Leatherhead. The shop sells good-as-new child and baby clothes and is a community hub in North Leatherhead.

He said: "Previously some of the mums from the shop had gone to Zambia and we wanted the chance to do the same with the dads.

"Right now it is a bit of a shell of a building and we want to transform it into a workshop so that young people in Romania can learn trades and go into apprenticeships."

Alex's fellow volunteer Michael Moore, 25, from Cobham, spoke of the problems facing young people, particularly orphans, in the impoverished countryside.

He said: "The situation is pretty dire out there. Employment is really hard, it is just really difficult to get anywhere in life. On every level it is hard for them because they are not as healthy, wealthy or educated."

The other volunteers are construction workers Andy Smith, 45, of Kingston Road, Sam Harmer, 29, from Ockley, and James Alexander, 36, of Randalls Park Avenue who will provide vital building skills.

Mr Alexander said: "I am doing it because I would like to do something that someone will really appreciate."

Mr Harmer added: "You see poverty on TV but then you carry on with your life. If you go out there you see it first hand and I think it will change me and give me a different outlook."

The group plan to buy all the supplies they need in Romania and are looking to raise £5,000 for this.

Some of the group will visit the country next month in order to see what supplies are needed.

If you wish to donate to their cause you can contact Ruth Shepherd at B@titude on 01372 374666.