A TRIP out to sea and the chance to spend the day on a peaceful, totally unspoilt island is on offer to West Devon residents next month ? which will also be raising valuable funds for charity.

Jenny Reynolds, of Bridestowe, is organising the trip to Lundy to raise money for the Send a Cow organisation, which helps the poorest people in six African countries.

The charity originally sent cattle from Devon but has now expanded into goats, pigs, poultry and even bees.

Jenny said: ?I?ve been to Africa and seen some of the problems there and have always wanted to do something to help.

?Send a Cow is a low-cost, practical way to help but it?s not patronising, they work with the locals.

?One of the most fascinating things is that actually, the most valuable product of the livestock is muck. These people are trying to grow food for their families on these small, exhausted patches of land, they use the dung and treble their output and even have something to sell.?

Jenny said the charity teaches organic farming methods and provides cheap veterinary services.

?The other thing I love is that it not only provides food and a means of buying education, it gives these people a lot of self-esteem and self-confidence. They are dealing with people very much at the bottom of the heap, most of them women, and suddenly these women have status.

?Part of the deal is that the gift must be handed on, so the first female animal born is passed to the next family who needs it, so people who have been helped can help others ? it?s wonderful.?

Jenny said that at present, much of the charity?s work concentrated on children in Rwanda. Many have been orphaned due to genocide and AIDS and were struggling to bring up younger brothers and sisters alone.

?They cannot easily manage a cow, but a couple of pigs or goats or a flock of poultry can transform their lives,? she said.

The trip to Lundy takes place on Sunday June 6. Jenny has chartered the MS Oldenburg which will leave Bideford at 8.30am for the two-hour trip to the island.

If conditions are favourable, the boat may be able to circumnavigate the island before docking. Once in harbour, trippers will have the option of joining guided bird walks, attending a church service or just spend the day exploring the beautiful island. The boat leaves at 6pm, returning to Bideford by 8pm.

The cost of the trip is £25 per adult, £15 for U16s, with all profits going to the Send a Cow charity. Free car parking is available at Bideford.

Anyone who would like to book a place on the day trip to Lundy or who needs more information should call Jenny Reynolds on 01837 861678.

For information about Send a Cow, go to http://www.sendacow.org.uk">www.sendacow.org.uk