A TV personality from Hampshire was so moved by the plight of African orphans that she raised £150,000 - in less than three years, it emerged yesterday. Anne Jones, 64, set about gathering funds after witnessing the ''horrors of childhood'' in Zambia.

She found children who were starving, and young families that were left destitute as a result of AIDS and HIV. But rather than donating cash and give handouts, the selfless stepmum-of-two ''went one better'' - by launching her own charity. With the help of an American doctor, she founded 'Hearts & Hands for Africa' to support local residents. It helps families - including grandmothers who are often left to raise children alone following the death of parents - launch their own business ventures and become financially independent.

Since its launch in 2007, the charity has gone from ''strength to strength'' - despite a shortage of donations and volunteers. But against the odds, Anne and her team have managed to raise more than £150,000 and are ''well on their way'' to their goal - of £1million.

Speaking from her home in Burley, Ringwood, Anne - a bestselling author and a regular 'face' on TV chat shows - said the figure was a ''step in the right direction''.

She said: ''The charity has gone from strength to strength and, of course, we're over the moon about it. We don’t give hand outs but we give microloans so that they can start small business ventures or buy seed for their farms. This way they become self sufficient rather than dependant.”

“There is a problem with deforestation in the area so to become eligible for a loan they make a fuel efficient stove and plant fruit tree saplings in their village. Already over 1000 trees have been planted which helps everyone including the environment.”

''It's a wonderful feeling to know that our hard work is paying off, and that children and families stricken with AIDS and HIV are being given another chance to improve their lives. The small ventures they set up are helping hundreds of children to return to school which will bring long term benefits to them and their communities."

''The figure raised to date is certainly a step in the right direction, and we're well on our way of reaching our target figure of £1million.''

Anne, the author of six bestsellers including Heal Yourself, Opening Your Heart and Healing Negative Energies, first visited Zambia in 2006. The grandmother-of-one said she was reduced to tears by the poverty and the lives of youngsters ''torn apart'' by AIDS.

Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is one of the world's poorest nations. It also has the highest per capita orphan population, currently standing at 10 per cent. It is the home to 10 million people, of which 20 per cent are said to be infected with the HIV virus. The average lifespan is just 33 years.

But Anne, a former IT wizard who worked in South Africa during the 1980s, said the country's biggest problem is its rising employment (currently 80 per cent) and low wages (less than $1 a day).

''Communities in Zambia are torn apart by AIDS, but that's only the beginning,'' she said.

''There is no benefit system in Zambia, so many children and grandparents are literally forced to endure a terrible existence in extreme poverty.''

Anne and her husband Tony launched Hearts & Hands for Africa in mid 2007.

Dr Cary Rasof, a medical doctor from Chicago, US, soon joined the team and now runs the charity from its overseas base outside Lusaka.

He said: ''Becoming a part of a Hearts & Minds for Africa was the best thing I've ever done.

''We're doing some great things to help vulnerable children, and I'm delighted for Anne that her vision for a better future has come good.''

For more information about Hearts & Minds for Africa, to donate money, or to get involved as a volunteer, visit www.heartsandhandsforafrica.com