MEETING some of the world's poorest children was a summer holiday with a difference for a Malvern couple.

Pete and Carol Nash visited the Phillipines with the international child development charity Compassion.

The couple first became involved with the charity two years ago, when they joined 800,000 people worldwide who sponsor a child. Last year, they decided to get involved further and volunteered their spare time to work towards raising awareness of the charity's work.

Mr Nash travelled to India and was moved by seeing the poverty first hand. This year his wife accompanied him to spend ten days in a variety underprivileged communities in the Phillipines.

"What we saw was heartbreaking," said Mr Nash. "One community we visited actually lived among the graves in a cemetery, there was nowhere else for them. It was like living in a nightmare."

The money Compassion raises provides education, nutrition, health care and emotional support for children in the world's poorest areas. Mrs Nash said the trip had been an eye-opener and confirmed they were supporting a good cause.

"It wasn't your traditional summer trip but I wouldn't swap it for the world. It was very humbling," she said.

For further details about Compassion, visit www. compassionuk.org