PLUCKY pensioner Bunny Kimbell has returned from a mercy mission to a children's hospice in Romania.

It was the first time she had seen the handicapped children she has been helping for years--an experience which proved both exciting and emotional.

Her long-awaited visit to the hospice was nearly dashed after a mugger snatched her bag in Canterbury city centre which contained money she had saved for the trip.

An appeal in Kent Online's sister newspaper the Kentish Gazette sparked a huge response from readers to the disabled 67-year-old's plight and donations poured in.

Mrs Kimbell, of Headcorn Drive, Canterbury, has been sending shoebox parcels of goodies to the St Margaret's children's hospice for nearly 10 years. The appeal allowed her to take out £900 which she used to buy goods and supplies for the hospice.

She said: "I was overwhelmed by people's kindness but I knew the money would go so much further if I bought things out there.

"The staff at the hospice who do such a fantastic job were just thrilled with what we could buy.

"After so many years of sending out Christmas parcels to the hospice it was really very exciting and emotional to actually visit the place.

"It is kept very clean and the staff care for the children as best they can but it is heartbreaking to see some of the poor little mites.

"I was also shocked to see the scale of poverty and depravation in Bucharest. It really felt like my contribution was just a tiny drop in the ocean."

But Mrs Kimbell says she has more donated goods, including two Albert Square street signs signed by the cast of EastEnders and donated by actor Shaun Williamson, which she hopes to auction.

She hopes to return to the hospice next year accompanied by other fundraisers from Canterbury with more supplies.