WELSH football fans are travelling to Russia this week with a warm heart.

Mark Hughes' Wales team will play the Russians in Moscow's Lokomotiv Stadium on Saturday in the first-leg on their vital Euro 2004 play-off.

Gol!, a fundraising organisation set-up by Welsh soccer lovers, has raised several thousand pounds to buy presents for one of Moscow's poorest orphanages.

And members of Newport County supporters trust, The Amber Army, will join in the visit to Moscow's Roof orphanage, in the Domodedovo suburb of the Russian capital, to themselves bear gifts.

The Amber Army have already raised more than £600 to take directly to the orphanage, which houses 80 children, and are hoping to hit the £1,000 mark before they jet off on Thursday.

Gol! committee member Duncan Jardine, a Newport County fan from Blackwood, said: "We chose the Domodedovo orphanage as it is out in the suburbs and doesn't get a great deal of government aid.

"Most of the orphans are children who have been taken from their families due to abuse or inability of parents to look after them.

"The orphanage does lack basic needs. For example there are 80 children housed at Domodedovo and they don't even have a qualified medical person."

Among the goods being donated are 30 football kits and football boots.

"It costs the orphanage $10 per day per child to feed all the children," said Duncan. "They rely on government grants."

Amber Army committee member Rob Santwris added: "It's a fantastic cause and we would urge people to help us reach our goal."

This is not the first time that Gol! has raised money for orphanages - Serbia and Azerbaijan facilities have also benefited in the past.

If you want to help, pledges can be sent to Rob Santwris, Amber Army Russia Collection, 2 Victoria Crescent, Baneswell, Newport, NP20 4DE.