A PRESTON clerical worker, who has just come back from Kenya, is calling on people to dig deep and give cash to help the poor in Third World countries.

Joseph Tipping, 62, from Penwortham, is aiming to do all he can to help those less fortunate after witnessing first hand the impact aid makes to people in poor countries.

The retired BAE Systems worker visited the east African country last month with The Son's of Divine Providence (SDP) organisation., a catholic organisation based in some of the world's poorest countries.

For his part Joseph regularly raises money at fairs and barbecue events and sends the cash to the missionaries. He said: "The missionaries do a lot of good work to help these people.

"After two weeks in Kenya, I was stunned to see human beings living in squalor and beautiful children existing in such harsh conditions."

He recalled areas where the money is mostly put to use. Joseph said: "I stayed in tin shacks which were occupied with priests and locals alike -- people had nothing but rain water, there was no electricity and all the cooking was done on wood fires."

While there Joseph found the markets limited with only potatoes, maize and rice available due to the lack of water for irrigation purposes.

Joseph became very ill with a high temperature during his stay.

But despite the poor conditions he was stunned by the tireless efforts of the clergy as they handed out clothes, medicine and money for schooling although children lacked chalk or books and sat on mud floors in class.

He added: "I visited a hospice for children who were dying from AIDs related illnesses, and a home for blind children, run by nuns.

"Although these children are desperately in need of medicine they receive an amazing standard of care and endless amounts of love from the sisters."

"What saddened me most was the naked street children as young as four who lived in the central reservation begging for food." Joseph now feels fervent about getting the message across to help the missionaries.

He explained: "I found that the people of Kenya were great and loving people despite having nothing, but the conditions they were living in were horrific."

Donations to help the missionaries can be sent to Father Phillip Kehoe, 25 Lower Teddington Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 4BH.