WHILE you may be feeling the strain of festive excess, spare a thought for those who are living with a lot less this Christmas.

The Craus family who live in a village called Uricani in Romania, will have had no turkey dinner and no presents.

While mum, dad and their six children, Andrei, aged 10, Dan, aged eight, Anamaria, aged seven, Remus, aged five, Gheorghe, aged three, and Florin aged two, live in a house day in day out that is made practically out of mud.

Fund-raiser Val Newton, of Wales Romanian Aid, who helps families in poverty in Eastern Europe, said the Craus family live in terrible conditions.

"They live in shocking conditions. I have met them about four times now," she said.

"They all have nothing for Christmas. They have rice and pasta and a small amount of vegetables, but they will not have any meat or cheese."

"Their ceiling is made out of mud and there is mud on the floor."

Val visited the family in November when she delivered a food parcel which contained rice, pasta and soup packets which had been donated by kind-hearted folk in South Wales.

"We collected 570 banana boxes full, which is 10 tonnes, and I would like to say thank-you to everyone who donated," said Val.

And more help is on the way to the family, thanks to Val and her team, as they are to receive a new home from donations Val has received from people in South Wales.

She said: "At the moment I am in the process of rebuilding their house for them.

"I have just started on the project and I have the money ready. It will be the sixth house that we have built this year.

"They are over the moon, they just can't believe it is a free house for them.

"They are going to have a new roof, new windows, a proper heating system and electricity.

"At the moment, they all sleep and live in one room. They don't have furniture or a washing machine or a fridge.

"I want to make it a comfortable home.

"I also want to organise some toys for them."

Anyone who wishes to help should send cheques, made payable to Wales Romanian Aid, to Val Newton at Tycroes, Maesybont, Cross Hands, Llanelli SA14 7HD or call 01269 843345.