A CHARITABLE Salisbury couple have received a Romanian Knighthood for their work reforming the country’s child protection system.

Founders of Salisbury-based charity Hope and Homes for Children Mark and Caroline Cook were recently awarded the honour for their dedication to protecting children in Romania.

They have been awarded the National Order of Loyal Service in the Rank of Knight for more than 20 years of efforts to close down orphanages in Romania and find the children devoted foster families instead.

The award was presented by His Excellency Dan Mihalache, on behalf of the Romanian President.

When Mark and Caroline began their mission in 1994 there were more than 100,000 children living in poor conditions across the country, but thanks to Hope and Homes the figure has now fallen to under 7,200.

When receiving the award, Mark said: “It’s an honour and a surprise, but it’s also an endorsement of the work the whole Hope and Homes for Children team is doing in Romania.

“It also demonstrates the importance the Romanian President and government place on ensuring children can grow up in loving, supportive families, not in harmful institutions and orphanages.”

Hope and Homes for Children’s CEO, Mark Waddington, added: “We have raised over £40 million for the reform in Romania which has made a very significant contribution to the reduction in the number of children confined in institutions from 100,000 to 6,500 since 1999.

By 2026 the charity aims for remaining orphanages to be closed, and hopes to see all orphaned children in Romania growing up in loving forever homes.

For more information go to hopeandhomes.org