Allen’s fine to fund refuge for child prostitutes

MONEY paid by Ballymaloe chef Tim Allen when he pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography is being used to buy a rescue house to assist children caught up in prostitution in India.

Preparations are underway to establish a home for 30 children, who will receive counselling and education until the age of 18, when they will be assisted in making independent lives for themselves.

The work is being carried out by the Edith Wilkins Calcutta Street Children Foundation, which already helps exploited children in Calcutta and is now trying to identify and save rural youngsters before they are taken to the cities.