A TIRELESS Stourport-on-Severn campaigner has raised almost £100,000 in less than a year for a huge life-saving water project in India, despite deteriorating health.

Sixty-two-year-old accountant Harry Morris has toured the Midlands since last July talking to businessmen and the Indian community about the scheme and collecting contributions.

The £200,000 target to sink wells and install sanitation facilities in 80 villages in southern India is now within reach, as the cash Mr Morris has raised is being matched by the International Rotary Foundation.

Mr Morris - who conceived the project to help the "poorest of the poor" - has been a member of Stourport Rotary Club for 14 years and last month received a rare award for his charity work both at home and abroad.

The Paul Harris Fellowship was awarded by the national president of the organisation in recognition of his efforts to promote "better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world".

"I've always been interested in helping people with no voice - the sick, the elderly, the young," said Mr Morris, of Holmcroft Road.

He has arranged for children from Dunblane Primary School in Scotland, where 18 pupils and staff were killed in the 1996 gun massacre, to go on holiday to Blackpool. He also organises annual trips to the resort for hundreds of Stourport pensioners.

Initiatives

"All these initiatives have been made possible by Rotary clubs", said Mr Morris.

"There are 1.2m members around the world and Rotary clubs in every city," he added.

"It's a great network. You can help anybody."

Mr Harris said the organisation was founded nearly 100 years ago to "serve the community".

Despite suffering from kidney failure last September, he was determined to see through the Indian project - run by a new 60-strong Rotary club in the country - which is now planned to grow in scope.

Eventually, 2.5m people in 400 villages should see clean water and sanitation combat deadly waterborne diseases such as cholera.

At least another £200,000 will be needed and appeals have been posted on the internet.

Mr Morris is undaunted. "Money is now coming in from all parts of the world. It's caught people's imagination,'' he said.

"The project shall go through. We shall win."

For further information contact Mr Morris on 01562 742268.