Hands of Love community group founder Fern Wade intends to start writing a book in the new year documenting her 30 years of experience helping the needy and homeless by organising food and clothing deliveries.

But it will not mean any let up in the work of Hands of Love, which is a weekly lifeline to the poorest people on the Island.

Mrs. Wade intends to write the book while keeping the Hands of Love group operating and even expanding it to include a House of Bread store that will be a drop-off point for people to bring non-perishable items that can then be distributed to those most in need.

This Saturday the Hands of Love will hold a Christmas dinner on Court Street to give the homeless some festive food, it will be the 20th year the street dinner has been held.

It will be the last major endeavour for Mrs. Wade before she settles down to begin writing her book, the title of which is to remain a secret for the time being.

She told : ?I?m going to be concentrating on writing a book. I have 30 years experience of community work helping others and I want to pass that on and tell how I started from nothing.

?We will continue Hands of Love and I?m looking for a publisher for the book.?

The Hands of Love group was set up eight years ago and during the winter it runs soup kitchens and cooks up free hot dinners for the cold and hungry.

Mrs. Wade, who is supported by six volunteers, last month became the fourth person to collect CableVision?s Community Service Award in recognition of her tireless efforts to help others.

As she sets about writing her book, Mrs. Wade and the other volunteers are also preparing for a busy time in 2006 with the House of Bread at Camp Hill Road expected to open in March and also an initiative to do something to help the youth of Bermuda.

Mrs. Wade is also on the lookout for a warehouse that can be used for the House of Bread project. Anyone who wishes to give a cash donation to the Hands of Love can do so at PO Box HM 3281, Hamilton PX.

The Court Street street dinner for the homeless takes place from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.