No child should be denied the chance to kick a ball about - it's one of life's simple pleasures.

Can you remember playing piggy-in-the-middle at school? What about curby outside your house, or the endless hours perfecting keepy-upy's. Beat the goalie, cross-bar challenge, water-polo in the sea. Then of course the endless kick abouts, the Sunday football, the netball tournaments, the spirit of playing, the joy of winning and the camarardarie of being in a team. Imagine your childhood without those memories. Pretty crap isn't it?

Some kids in Africa have never even seen a ball. Instead, they make crude efforts from string and mud just to give their day some essence of fun. We're lucky in that we have a fabulous education system and that PE is part of the cirruculum, so it's safe to say pretty much most of us - and our kids - have had, and will get to kick a ball regularly.

It's been proven numerous times that if these kids in Africa know there's a ball at school, they will walk the 4 miles to get there. Its such a motivational tool, and one so simple too.   

So that's what I'm doing - raising some cash to get sports equipment into the hands and onto the feet of some of the world's most disadvantaged kids.

Every tenner I raise will buy a either a football or netball, pump + spare valves with a message from us all (it really is that personal!) Every single ball goes directly to to kids in schools, orphanages, or even just at the side of the road.

So for all you sport fans - whether you play or just support - please spare a couple of quid for these kids. Take a trip down memory lane, remember how it felt when you got your first football, and be reminded of the sheer delight that you're going to have passed on to someone. It's a great feeling!

I'm dedicating all of this to my wonderful friend Mark, who was quite possibly one of the most competative people I have ever met. He loved sport, was an avid Leeds supporter (shame) and I know would have been right there with me, giving endless hours of happiness to kids through the simple joy of having a kick about. I miss him every day.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.