A Malvern grandmother just back from Romania says she has discovered the true meaning of Christmas.

Christabell Wilson, from Malvern Link, gave up the festive season with her family to help deliver toys and food hampers to poverty-stricken children.

She was working as a volunteer with Christian charity, the Smiles Foundation, which works with people in some of the poorest parts of the world.

"It was amazing," said Mrs Wilson. "It was such a privilege to be there, but also a very humbling and emotional experience.

"People in the main have nothing. All the things we take for granted they don't have, like running water and bathrooms

"Some people can't even afford logs for heating stoves."

Despite the poverty she encountered, Mrs Wilson said the Romanian people were welcoming, warm and generous.

"I loved being able to do something to help them," she said. "That's what Christmas is really about. God gave his son for us and to be able to show God's love in this way is great."

Mrs Wilson said one of the highlights was delivering food and presents to a family in a house that she and her family sponsor in memory of her husband John.

"I never thought I'd get to see it," she said.

Mrs Wilson, who was persuaded to visit Romania by her daughter, said she hoped to return there one day.

"My life has changed since going there" she said.

"I look at everything so differently, like everything I've got that I took for granted."

The Smiles Foundation is raising funds to build a centre for abandoned babies in Romania, as well as taking food and aid parcels to the country. Anyone interested in making a donation, should contact the foundation on 0113 276 5060.