A BRADFORD aid worker is spending Christmas in Sierra Leone helping to stop the spread of Ebola.

Catherine Mahoney was today flying out to West Africa where she is working with Catholic aid agency CAFOD.

The former Rhodesway Upper School pupil, who is originally from Heaton, has been in the country since November.

She is now based at the charity’s headquarters in London and is its humanitarian co-ordinator for West Africa.

"This is going to be a very difficult Christmas for many families affected by the Ebola virus, and many others grieving for loved ones," said the 34-year-old, whose parents live in Bierley, Bradford.

"Christmas is normally all about family, with relatives coming together and celebrating the day with a special feast – usually of rice meals served with chicken, beef or goat stew.

"People get up early to cook and send dishes to loved ones and neighbours, as a symbol of sharing and thanksgiving for God’s blessings. There’s always plenty on the stove, ready to welcome the unexpected guest.

"However this year Christmas and New Year gatherings have been banned by the government because there is a real fear that people will relax and forget to keep to the preventive measures to stop the spread of the Ebola virus. There will be police patrols along the beaches, ready to break up any festive beach parties that usually take place.

"I’m working alongside CAFOD’s partners training priests, parish volunteers and other faith leaders making sure communities understand Ebola and what needs to be done to halt the spread.

"We have trained teams working on safe burials and also providing food and essential hygiene supplies, particularly in remote areas.

"It’s a harsh fact that people will die over Christmas and I’ll be continuing to work with CAFOD partners coordinating the safe burial teams.

"The one gift we can give each other this Christmas is the gift of hope - the hope that they will see the end of the Ebola virus, and celebrate next Christmas with bear-hug embraces.

"CAFOD is hugely grateful for the money given by the people of Bradford to help ensure this happens."

So far the Ebola virus across Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia has killed more than 6,900 people, and there are 18,000 registered infections.

l Bradford Professor John Wright is also in Sierra Leone heading up a team of NHS volunteers at a newly-set up hospital.

Visit www.telegraphandargus.co.uk/contributors to read his blog.