A SALTBURN student flew to Ethiopia to deliver £3,500-worth of shoes to poor children - and she plans to help a further 1,000 youngsters.

Philippa Robson, 19, of Ruskin Avenue, raised the £3,500 last autumn following a gap year working at a school in Abbis Ababa. She wanted to buy shoes for barefooted children.

Now, following a three-week visit at Easter, she was horrified to find poverty levels even higher because of rocketing food costs.

"The charity account now has over £3,500, which is just fantastic, and I would like to thank everyone who helped, supported and donated," she said.

"My return visit was challenging to say the least. I found the past three weeks more heartbreaking and humbling than anything I have ever experienced before.

"People may be aware that the World Food Programme is currently in crisis and the cost of grain has risen dramatically.

"Because of this, a lot of victims of diseases such as TB, HIV/Aids and leprosy are not getting the healthy diet that they need. While I was over there I visited some of these people and saw first-hand the impact this is having on hundreds of lives.

"Working closely with two nuns, I have pledged to provide shoes and underwear to all of the children in their support centre. This means that almost 1,000 children will be given at least one pair of shoes and new basic underwear.

"The remaining money from the appeal fund will also be given to the children and their extended families, such as siblings, grandparents and guardians. This money will go towards food and cooking oil."

Philippa, who is known as Pip, is studying at York University. She said: "The money given will make a huge difference to a lot of children and their extended families."