A CHILDMINDER moved by the plight of young Nepalese earthquake victims has started a fundraising drive to help ease their suffering.

Kirstie Thomas organised a charity walk from Branksome Beach and has launched an internet page to raise funds for UNICEF.

Miss Thomas, an Ofsted-registered childminder from Poole, told the Echo: "Now that coverage of the earthquake isn't really on the news anymore, I regularly log onto the UNICEF website so I know the children out there are still suffering.

"I thought, I cannot just keep reading about this and not do anything. Children are so important, it's been breaking my heart basically."

The 43-year-old contacted child-minding friends and colleagues, eventually enlisting around 50 carers and children for the beach walk event.

"I just want to raise awareness of UNICEF and their earthquake appeal. People should not simply forget about these children," she said.

The group met at Branksome Chine, walked to Alum Chine - where they enjoyed the playground and a picnic before returning to Branksome.

More than £100 was raised on the walk and Miss Thomas hopes donations continue coming in to her justgiving website.

The deadly 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal in April, killing thousands of people and leaving many more homeless.

It devastated the capital Kathmandu and caused an avalanche on Mount Everest that claimed the lives of climbers.

According to the latest Chinese geological survey, reported in China's state media earlier this week, the quake was so powerful it also shifted Mount Everest around one inch to the southwest.

Visit www.justgiving.com/nepal-walk to donate.