A PROFESSIONAL storyteller from Wem will be hosting a fundraiser next month to support communities in rural Kenya.

Jake Evans has been a professional storyteller for several years, after realising he had a talent for it after entering a national competition.

The fundraiser is in aid of a charity called Small Steps Forward, which sponsors around 40 students from poor backgrounds in a rural area of Western Kenya.

The sponsorship they receive allows them to attend secondary school which they otherwise would not afford.

For the fundraiser, Jake will be joined by members of his band, Topbananas, for an evening of music and storytelling, which will take place in The Hive in Shrewsbury on Friday, February 28 at 7.30pm.

Jake has been involved with Small Steps Forward since his time at school and has visited Kenya himself in the past.

"I initially got involved with the charity when I was still at school at Thomas Adams in Wem, when there was an ongoing partnership project, and was fortunate enough to go and visit Kenya," said Jake.

"I've stayed in contact with my ex-teacher who has since retired but continues to devote his spare time to running the charity.

"In regards to my storytelling, it started off as a quirky thing I did once a year for a national competition.

"It was a bit of lighthearted fun, I thought it would stand out on my uni application CV eventually and I enjoyed winning the £50 cash prize."

It was after visiting Kenya that Jake realised had had a natural talent for storytelling.

"I started to take storytelling a bit more seriously after I visited Kenya and was given the opportunity to perform to hundreds of school pupils at a time, keeping them entertained," he added.

"I was obviously aware there were professional storytellers in the UK so thought if I can entertain kids in Kenya there's no reason why schools here wouldn't want to hire me too.

"I offered free taster sessions to some local schools, which worked well, next time they booked me I set an hourly rate and my storytelling career has snowballed from there.

"I work freelance in both primary and secondary schools, festivals, libraries, private parties and functions, National Trust properties, museums and sometimes prisons.

"And I tell true stories, personal and amazing historical ones I've researched, myths and legends that I put my own twist on, local folk tales, improvisational made up stories where you use the audiences suggestions and run with on the spot.

"Anything I think is interesting really and I can remember without having to read from a book."

Tickets for the fundraiser cost £6 and can be bought from Jake on 01939 233186 or topbananas.evans@hmail.com