A TIRELESS charity fundraiser whose work in memory of his late wife has brought fresh water to tens of thousands of poor Africans has been honoured by the renowned Maasai tribe.

Jim O’Connor founded the Dorothy’s Well project after his wife Dorothy died of breast cancer in 2006, aged 56.

Since then, the retired businessman from Esh, County Durham, has raised more than £350,000 to sink deep water wells in rural Tanzania.

He recently travelled to the east African nation to oversee the installation of the ninth and tenth solar-powered wells, in Londoto and Muungango, and was surprised when Maasai village elders presented him with a live goat as a sign of their thanks.

“These people have nothing and to give me something so precious and valuable to them was very moving and totally overwhelming,” Mr O’Connor said.

“It demonstrated just how precious they regard the gift of water and how they wish to demonstrate to all the people who give their time and money to support Dorothy’s Well Project Tanzania how much they appreciate it.”

Mr O’Connor was unable to bring the goat home on the plane, so he donated to a local school.

The well openings led to great celebrations, with gifts of clothes, toiletries, stationery and more to children. Beanie hats made by ladies from the Knit and Natter club at St Cuthbert’s Church, Durham, proved particularly popular, with both children and tribal leaders.

Mr O’Connor hopes to open a further three wells in the Msitu Wa Tembo area next February, if he can raise the £75,000 needed.

“Seeing the desperate need and plight of these children in Tanzania and getting the calls for help I receive from so many other schools, how can I walk away?” he said.

“I have visited a further three schools where the need is just as great and I am committed to continue the work for as long as I am able and I have the ongoing support of people here.”

For more information or to support the project, visit dorothyswells.org or call Mr O’Connor on 07711-983-252.

Every penny donated goes to providing the wells. Expenses and administrative costs are paid personally by Mr O’Connor and his charity committee members.