AN Isle of Wight charity welcomed MP Bob Seely to its centre for children with special needs in Moldova.

Just before Christmas, Bob Seely – together with Chris Green, MP for Bolton West and Atherton – visited the Phoenix Centre in Riscani, which was founded by East Cowes-based charity, MAD-Aid.

Moldovan-born Victoria Dunford, CEO of MAD-Aid, said: “It was a privilege and an honour to have Bob Seely and Chris Green visit and spend some time with the children.

“Bob speaks good Russian and was able to talk to the children, and also to the local press, before he travelled onwards to Ukraine.”

She said Mr Seely seemed impressed with the Phoenix Centre and hoped the concept could be replicated here in the UK – preferably on the Isle of Wight.

Mr Seely said via Facebook that he felt privileged to visit the charity’s flagship centre, which is home to 30 children from ten villages, offering them inclusivity, food, transport, love and care.

The centre also provides therapy and rehabilitation to more than 240 children annually.

It has administered 27,000 free treatments to children from across northern Moldova and – more recently – Ukraine.