Director of Thai orphanage to make rare visit to London and Dubli

Father Mike O'Shea will be in London and Dublin on a rare visit from the HIV/AIDS orphanage he runs in Nong Khai, Northern Thailand, from Wednesday 5 ­ Wednesday 12 November. Father Mike has worked in Thailand for more than 39 years. He presently has over 100 children in his care at Sarnelli House, Nong Khai. Many of the children are HIV positive; others have been orphaned or abandoned.

His work is supported by the Pattaya Orphanage Trust UK which is holding its annual Mass for friends and supporters of the charity on Saturday 8 November in London and on Sunday 9 November in Dublin. Father Mike will be the chief celebrant on both days.,

The Pattaya Orphanage Trust, which started in the resort of Pattaya, is now extending its work to support vulnerable and disadvantaged children across Thailand and has made a valuable contribution to Sarnelli House in recent years. The charity helps orphans, disabled children, children with HIV, tsunami survivors and street children - providing a home, an education and a future for almost 1,500 children, and reaching out to thousands more through health and nutrition projects.

The Mass in London is at St Augustine's, 55 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8AU, on Saturday 8 November at 11am. Light refreshments will be served in the church hall afterwards.

The Mass in Dublin is at the Redemptorists' Church, Marionella, Rathgar, Dublin, on Sunday 9 November at 1pm. An optional lunch will be available after the Mass at TKII, a local Thai restaurant, for ¤20. Please send a cheque to Pattaya Orphanage Trust, 124 North End House, Fitzjames Avenue, London W14 ORZ, UK if you would like to attend.

For more information on the Pattaya Orphanage Trust, see: www.pattayaorphanage.org.uk