The heart-broken family of the Galway aid worker who drowned in a freak accident at the weekend has vowed to continue her work in Ghana.

It has emerged that Natalie Higgins (24) had raised enough money before she left Ireland to help buy a site for a new orphanage a few miles outside Kumasi, the second largest city in Ghana.

Natalie, from Abbeyknockmoy in Co. Galway, died when she was swept out to sea by a freak wave as she and some other volunteers were walking along the beach.

"Our hearts are broken but her family have every intention of carrying out her dream and doing more in the years ahead," said Natalie's aunt Margaret McHugh.

She said that Natalie's family and friends were struggling to come to terms with the tragic death of 'a wonderful young person' who was so generous to others.

"It was her dream since she was 14 to go to a place like Ghana. She worked in TV and film for nine months last year in London and she enjoyed it but it was not fulfilling her dreams.

"She came home to Ireland and did a course in childcare special needs so that she would be more equipped going to Ghana. She was so happy and she settled in really well there," said her aunt.

Natalie had spent months fundraising and had received great support. "Everyone rallied round because Natalie was that sort of person. Everyone wanted to help her. She was adored," added her aunt.

Natalie had told her family that the money she had brought out was going to help purchase a new site for an orphanage as rents were high in the existing facility.

She had spoken to her mother Marion and her brother Keith around 6pm on Saturday and told them how happy she was and about her plans. Half an hour later she was dead.