Aid worker flees crisis-hit country

A Shropshire aid worker was dramatically evacuated from a crisis-hit West African country as she worked for a children's charity she set up with her mother.

Tanya Walmsley, of Broseley, who founded Friends of Conakry Refugee School in Guinea, was also working for a non-governmental aid organisation when she was forced to leave the country and return home to the UK.

She was evacuated after problems erupted following a coup.

Miss Walmsley's mother Ruth today said her daughter had managed to get home and she was safe and well, but they are calling on Shropshire people to donate funds to keep the school operating.

"Everything was closed down during the unrest and it only managed to open again two weeks ago," she said.

"Tanya was always going there to help them out. She was someone on the ground for them, but she never managed to say goodbye to the people there. We feel very sad for everyone involved and how they have to live.

"Sometimes the only meal the children get is when they are at school, so we are very worried," added Mrs Walmsley.

Miss Walmsley first travelled to Guinea's capital Conakry in 2004 when she was a university graduate and taught at the school for six months.

When it was threatened with closure her parents paid a month's rent on the premises to keep it open - and mother and daughter set up the charity to support the school. It has so far raised £50,000.

Mrs Walmsley said: "I am very proud of what Tanya has done there. I worry about what she is doing, but generally speaking I know she is able to look after herself.

"People at home could not possibly realise the dangers of being in a place like Guinea, so we would ask them to support the charity.

"Just a small amount of money goes such a long way," added Mrs Walmsley.

People can support children at Conakry Refugee School by purchasing gift cards or donating via the website at www.fcrs.org.uk

By Brett Gibbons