A heartfelt message of thanks to generous Telegraph & Argus readers has come out of Africa.

And charity worker Hildred Helm says aid donated by big-hearted Bradford folk is making a huge difference to the lives of poverty-stricken people in Gambia.

In September, the T&A reported how Mrs Helm, of Baildon, who is married to TV sports commentator John Helm, was appealing for donations for her latest expedition to West Africa.

Following the appeal a 40ft container full of aid was shipped to Gambia and Mrs Helm has been in the country for several weeks, helping to distribute it for the Children of the Gambia charity.

Her message of thanks to readers has reached the T&A thanks to Bingley couple Rob and Anne Peterson, who were on holiday in Gambia when they met Mrs Helm and agreed to fax it on when they got home.

Writing from Gambia, Mrs Helm said: "We'd like to thank all the people back home who, through the T&A article, offered much needed help and assistance.

"We have taken mattresses to hospitals and clinics, educational equipment to many, many schools, boxes of books into a prison to start up a library and 1,480 raincoats to the Gambia police force.''

Mrs Helm said the aid work had been featured on local TV and radio, adding: "It's been a difficult and humbling experience for us, particularly in the casualty department, where people who were dying from malaria had to lie on the floor due to the lack of beds and mattresses.

"All in all, its been hard work but we feel it's been worth the extra effort on our part as goods were taken to where they are most needed.

"But much still needs to be done and we hope we can still look to T&A readers for their continuing help and support.''

Mr Peterson, of Crossflatts, said: "There are some really poor, desperate people out there and she's doing a fantastic job so we were only to pleased to pass on her message.''

Mrs Helm, 54, vowed to help after seeing how poorly equipped some Gambian schools were while on holiday there in 1997 with her friend, Sandra Foster. She has since been back more than a dozen times.

Anyone wanting to help her work in Gambia should call (01274) 429406 or 619738.

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