A YOUNG woman is to spend 12 months in Honduras helping victims of natural disasters which have hit the country.

Hayley Hardman, 22, decided to volunteer overseas after hearing about the state of crisis in the South American nation.

Honduras is still recovering from the destruction that Hurricane Mitch caused 10 years ago. Recently the country has seen three weeks of torrential rain and has conseqeuntly declared a national state of emergency.

She said: “When I compared the struggles we face over here, to the state of emergency that is currently tormenting Honduras, I knew I had to do something.

“We go on about the credit crunch crisis over here, but it’s not a crisis compared to the threat of starvation that many people are facing in different countries. We need to be culturally sensitve.”

Hayley, who last summer graduated in Business Management, at Sheffield Hallam, will fly out on January 14 to live amongst the poor for 12 months.

She said: “I want to volunteer because I feel I have the capability to muck in and help the people who have nothing. My first choice is to work in the orphanage.

“I’ll be helping with homework, assisting in building work and cleaning the basic facilties.”

Over the last few weeks 50 per cent of basic food crops have been lost in Honduras meaning that there will be severe food shortages for months to come.

Hayley will not be alone in her efforts. International development organisations, including church agencies, have been sending aid workers to the poorerst regions to support the Honduran people.

A charity wine tasting event has been organised on December 13 at the Rose and Crown, Ramsbottom, to help fund the trip.

Hayley needs to raise £4,000 in total to support the Honduran cause.

To donate to Hayley’s charitable efforts go to the website below: