Hi everyone

I’m doing a triathlon next weekend to raise money for the children of La Pouponnière orphanage in Senegal.

It’s an Olympic distance triathlon comprising a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle and 10km run so it’s going to be a real challenge. I’ve just about survived the training for each section so far but it’ll be interesting to see what happens on the day, when I’m doing them one after the other! My aim is to finish inside 2:30:00, which is a tough but achievable target.

The orphanage is run by a Paris-based organisation called Vivre Ensemble which I was put in touch with through a family friend. In May I visited Senegal and was blown away by the warmth and kindness of its people. On a trip to the interior, we travelled to the village of M’bour where the orphanage is located. I was enchanted by the bright, enthusiastic children that I encountered and I left keen to support them through the tough early stages of their lives.

La Pouponnière (http://www.lapouponnieredembour.org) is a temporary place of refuge for children from impoverished rural villages or disadvantaged urban areas. Many of these children have lost their mothers or lack adequate family support. La Pouponnière provides protection for these children during the vulnerable early years of their lives, enabling them to be brought up in a safe and healthy environment. It currently houses 145 children aged 0-2 years and provides them with the security, sanitation and sustenance that they would otherwise lack if left in their home environments.

Any donations will go directly to the orphanage and contribute to a brighter future for these children.

Many thanks in advance for any donations, however big or small.

I hope you are all enjoying the summer sunshine.

Alex