AS an occupational therapist Poppy Farrow is used to helping others.But now she is giving up her full-time position in Norfolk to travel halfway round the world and help some of the poorest people in an African country to rebuild their lives.

AS an occupational therapist Poppy Farrow is used to helping others.

But now she is giving up her full-time position in Norfolk to travel halfway round the world and help some of the poorest people in an African country to rebuild their lives.

Miss Farrow, from New Road in Hethersett, will spend 12-18 months volunteering in Zanzibar, using her skills to help people in the region. The 25-year-old will set off in February on the trip and will be giving therapy sessions and helping those with disabilities learn how to become mobile again.

Part of her work will be making walking sticks and other mobility aids from whatever local materials she can find.

It will be a million miles away form her role as an occupational therapist for NHS Norfolk in Norwich, where she helps people who have been disabled in some way or have social and emotional problems, to learn how to do a range of things from walking again to reading and writing.

She said: 'I have been working for the NHS for about three years now and felt that I wanted to do something like this with the skills I have, while I am still young enough to do it. I also wanted to use my skills in a more disadvantaged setting.'

While she is in the country, she will be staying in Stone Town, the capital of Zanzibar, which is part of the East African republic of Tanzania, with a local family.

So far she has managed to raise �1,000 towards the trip but needs another �1,500 and has urged any organisations or individuals who can help, to get in touch.

Anyone who can help Poppy with her fundraising should contact 01603 812171.