CHARLIE Ridout lost his livelihood after suffering a head injury at work.

He's been off sick for six months - but that hasn't stopped him trying to help others much less fortunate.

A former night-spot bouncer, Charlie saw an article in the Echo's sister paper The Vale Advertiser about Enable which supports disabled children in India.

The charity wants to build a new home for boys because the current centre is under threat from anti-government rebels.

The Naxalites have been guilty of torture, killing, kidnapping and torchings in other areas and the police seem unable to deal with the problem.

Charlie, 21, immediately telephoned Colin Harte, the charity's general secretary of Enable, and offered to help.

"I just saw it in the paper and I was just phoning up to see what I could do," he said.

Having run his own security firm, his first thought was to protect the residential home in Kanigiri in South India.

When Colin explained that wasn't practical, Charlie wanted to go out and help build the new home.

That wasn't viable either so he took to the streets of Blandford with a collecting tin - having first gained permission from the local authority and informed the police.

"This is all I can do to help because I've have been signed off work through a head injury," he said.

"I lost my company and I lost my girlfriend but I wanted to make a difference.

"This is why I'm trying to do something."

Colin said Enable really appreciated the eagerness with which Charlie had come forward to help.

"It just shows that if people have the desire to do something to help, they will find a way within their own circumstances," he said.

Charlie will be out collecting in the Market Place today.

You can contact Enable at 35 Stileham Bank, Milborne St Andrew, Blandford DT11 0LE or check out the website at www.enable-india.org.uk