David and Jane Burstall, of Heath Road East, were first introduced to Sasha Timofiev (21) several years ago when he stayed in Petersfield as part of the Chernobyl Children Lifeline project, a scheme where Petersfield families invite Belarussian children living near the nuclear disaster site over for a summer holiday. Becoming friends, the couple learned of Sasha's tough life so far.

On top of being exposed to nuclear radiation from the Chernobyl disaster, which happened the year before he was born, Sasha's father died when he was six, followed shortly afterwards by his mother.

This led him to being raised in an orphanage.

Eleven years later at the age of 17 he broke his back in a near fatal fall, and is now confined to a wheelchair as a paraplegic.

After spending a year in hospital Sasha was discharged and today lives in a home for the aged, senile and terminally ill, with only modest health care offered to him.

However there is hope for the future if money can be raised.

Mr Burstall said: "There is a rehabilitation centre in Moscow run by a Professor Valentine Dikul, whose aim is to train those who suffered traumatic spinal injuries to become fully independent.

"Sasha will be taught, using techniques developed by the professor, who was similarly disabled himself, to use his own muscles and joints to move and to walk again, rather than relying on modern gadgetry to supplement muscle activity.

"There is a real potential for generating an enormous change in his life if he can be admitted to this clinic."

The cost of the clinic is about £1,000 a week and the Burstalls are aiming to raise £6,000 by Christmas, so Sasha could benefit from six weeks of treatment in the New Year.

Together with friends, the couple have been selling raffle tickets and are operating a stall at the Christmas Market in the Festival Hall on Saturday, December 13.

Prizes from the raffle include a quilt donated by Colemore Quilters, a Pentax Optio T10 Digital Camera donated by Petersfield Photography and a picnic back pack.

The winning tickets are being drawn at One Tree Books, who sponsored the raffle, in Lavant Street on Monday, December 15.

Mr Burstall said in recent letters Sasha had shown a dramatic change in attitude once he realised an attempt was being made to raise funds for his treatment.

"Whilst he had never been content to sit back and do nothing, he suddenly became a great deal more positive about his life," he said

"His friends gave him muscle exercising and weight training equipment which he started using regularly, devising his own routines even though he remained wheelchair-bound.

"He has now started taking part in wheelchair sports, in which he has recently been awarded prizes for coming first, second and third."

Anyone wishing to help Sasha can purchase raffle tickets, or make a donation, by contacting Jane or David Burstall at 61 Heath Road East, Petersfield, GU31 4HN or calling them on 01730 266806.