A PHOTOGRAPHER will spend a month in India documenting the work of women’s charity founders Leah Pattison and Usha Patil.

Jonathan Pearson, of Stanhope, Weardale, is working on a project called Weardale Women, which focuses on various females in the dale.

During his research he met Leah Pattison, of Frosterley, who founded Women in Need (WIN) a charity based in Nagpur, India.

Mr Pearson was inspired by WIN's work, and with support from Durham University, will fly to India on November 10 to spend a month taking photographs of them in India.

He said: “I met Leah at a fundraiser, I asked her to explain the story and I was amazed by her strength of character.

“There is nothing more powerful than being able to put a name and a face to a story, it gives us a point of connection. I hope to photograph some of the women they work with and share their story.

“The intention is to blog whilst I am there, but also to create an exhibition.”

WIN was founded in 2000 and helps treat women suffering from leprosy, HIV and mental illness.

To follow Mr Pearson’s journey, visit pearsongraphics.co.uk