AFTER seeing the plight of orphaned children in Vietnam, a man has set up a charity to help orphans receive an education.

Nathan Haworth from Darwen set up the Diamond Dozen Foundation with Pietro Capitelli after visiting an orphanage in Vietnam with 121 children.

He was touched by the stories of the children, many having gone through a great deal of hardships, and this made him want to do something to help.

After travelling back and forth, he donated 1000 books to the Po Chap orphanage, and used his own money at first to fund the project, but now he hopes the foundation will take off.

The 30-year-old said: "One of the first times I went to Vietnam quite a few years ago I was graciously afforded wonderful hospitality by a very poor family.

"At first I helped one child called Boa, this soon turned into six and now 121 that are in the school/orphanage."

Mr Haworth travelled to Vietnam and started to help a family with a child through schooling. A friend then told him about the orphanage, and he became determined to help them.

The teachers at the school work over 40 hours, and still do other jobs to sustain their families. When one of the workers at the orphanage mentioned educational books, Mr Haworth knew how he could help.

He said: "121 kids living with some horrible circumstances and the only chance for them is to get an education and learn basic skills and English to better their chances in life after school, with amazing people like Tram and her team who put these kids before themselves.

"Education in Vietnam for these children is the ultimate gift to get a stepping stone to better life, every little helps with the underprivileged children & I'm delighted that I, through Diamond Dozen foundation can play a small part in helping change their lives."