The 40ft container bursting with more than 100 boxes of toys, clothes and toiletries is expected to arrive on July 10 and help transform their lives.

The project - the brainchild of Co Antrim couple Linda and Gerry McDonald - has attracted the support of hundreds of people and businesses and organisations across Northern Ireland.

The Greenisland husband and wife team, who run an engineering supplies company, became aware of the poverty Bulgarian orphans were living in following a visit to Elhovo three years ago.

"We first went over with items in a suitcase, but then with every visit we wanted to bring over more things and so it was getting very expensive," said Linda.

"So we decided to hire a van and make the trip ourselves.

"We have visited the area 13 times since.

"During one visit I was out walking in the village and one little boy kept running up to me shouting Linda, Linda, and pointing to his T-shirt. English, of course, is not his first language but he was trying so hard to let me know he was wearing one of the T-shirts I sent over.

"It was just ones my children didn't need any more, but it had obviously made him very happy.

"It is just the small things like that, that are making a difference to these wonderful children."

Linda said the conditions the children live in are "heartbreaking" . "It's just dreadful, there is a local woman who is selling her house because her 10-year-old son has arthritis and needs money for treatment," she said.

"We just want to try and help make their standard of living a bit better."

The generosity of the public led to the couple having to hire the 40ft truck due to the overwhelming amount of support.

"We appealed to business associates asking for them to donate £5 to help take a van across to Bulgaria," said Linda.

"It has moved from that with word of mouth, and through the contacts we have been able to book this container.

"Belfast City Council just gave us a set of goalposts and the Law Society in Belfast gave me 10 boxes of clothes which is fabulous. It's just fantastic. and it's things that we here maybe no longer want."

Linda explained the container is expected to arrive around July 10 and she will fly out with her husband and children to distribute the items.

"We have now got enough stuff that we are now in a position that we can help the village and school, one orphanage and then go to the next village Yamblo and help out the baby orphanage," she said.

"We can't wait to see their faces when the truck arrives.

"We hope that the generosity of the public allows us for this to become an annual trip. It will mean so much to these people who deserve a better life."

If you would like to find out more about the project contact Linda McDonald on 079 7398 0399.