Keighley Soroptimists are supporting a Silsden midwife who is heading to Uganda to spend three months working at a community birth house.

Emily Hill will stay at Atiak – about 20 miles from the border with South Sudan – and will serve with Uganda’s “traditional” midwives, most of whom are illiterate and have had little formal training.

And before she leaves next month, she aims to raise enough money to buy 30 bikes – at £40 each – to help the midwives travel between villages, and fund other supplies.

Soroptimist members presented her with a cheque for a bike.

“Emily is taking time out to do this work in Africa as she feels it will give her the opportunity to be able to strike a balance between making a difference and respecting the local culture and beliefs,” said a spokesman for the group.

“She will work with local midwives whose knowledge has been passed on by female family members through the generations.

“We are delighted to be supporting her.”