A FORMER chiropodist is planning a trip to Africa to find out more about the work of a charity providing livestock to poverty-stricken farmers.

Simon Tate, 44, of Leyburn, North Yorkshire, recently became the regional co-ordinator for the Send a Cow charity.

In October, he will travel to Rwanda and Uganda to learn more about how the charity is helping there.

He will use his experiences to raise awareness of the charity in the North-East and North Yorkshire.

Mr Tate said: "I was introduced to Send A Cow while fundraising with a group of adults with learning disabilities in Richmond.

"We were all really inspired by the work being done in Africa, and I decided I wanted to take things a step further."

The charity provides families in Africa with livestock, training and support to help them work their way out of poverty and earn money that can be used for education, medicines, housing and basic necessities.

Mr Tate said: "It is a simple, direct approach to helping people in great need that really does work."

The charity originally sent livestock from the UK, but animals are now bought in Africa.

Every farmer that receives livestock agrees to pass on the first female offspring to the next needy member of their community.

Send a Cow operates in seven east African countries, many badly affected by war and the Aids epidemic.

The majority of recipients are women, orphaned children and people with disabilities.