AN Ilkley community worker is planning to spend the next 12 months helping the poor in South Africa.

In August 2006, Emily Hoe, community worker at Christchurch, The Grove, swapped summertime in Ilkley for winter in the slums of South Africa.

Originally from Hull, Miss Hoe, 23, has been a well-known figure in Ilkley for the past three years. She runs the Mums and Toddlers group at Christchurch as well as taking her entertaining story telling into schools and starting a Christian Union at Ilkley Grammar School.

She helped to found Chillerz, the youth group run by the churches and has worked with Christchurch's own young people and children.

Last August Miss Hoe travelled to Worcester in South Africa with Nail the Truth Mission to work with The People's Church which helps poor and disadvantaged people.

She said: "We worked alongside the poor in the slums, digging plots and creating sustainable gardens. We met loads of children who were full of the joy of life.

"The slums are made of flimsy material and often it rains into the houses as much as it rains outside.

"One lady, Mickey, woke up drenched every day. We fitted a new ceiling and painted it for her to protect her from the elements."

As well as helping the local people, the church runs vibrant children's work. Over 500 children attended Kinderbond for a fun time of worship.

Miss Hoe said: "After two weeks with these special people we took a safari and got up close and personal with the Big Five - lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs and rhinos.

"We also spent a day in Cape Town and travelled some way up Table Mountain with its awesome views."

Emily enjoyed the experience so much that she has accepted the offer of a post with the church after she finishes her contract with Christchurch this summer.

She will initially go for three months but the option to stay for the full year will be open to her.

She said: "The people are so rewarding I had the most fantastic time of my life out there and I can't wait to get back."

In order to fund her activities in South Africa and support the church Miss Hoe is running a series of fundraising events.

She needs to raise a total of £6,000 before she travels to South Africa in September. Already about half the target figure has been achieved.

The fundraising events include a musical spectacular by professional keyboard player Martin F Colam.

Tickets for the concert, on Saturday, June 9, are available from the Coffee Centre in Christchurch.Saturday 7th July 7 - Special opening of the Coffee Centre from 1 until 4pm.