In November 2014 I will be heading to South Africa for one week to build a home for a family in need, as part of a team of 18 colleagues.

Having a safe, decent place to live really does help to break the poverty cycle. For example, children with a safe place to live are more likely to get an education and their parents or carers more likely to be able to work and earn a decent living, free from the pressures of poverty housing and the poor health that is often associated with it.

Habitat for Humanity are aiming to build 1,000 homes in the Durban area. This is part of a wider project oftern working with orphans and vulnerable groups whose lives have been blighted by the AIDS pandemic which has swept across sub-Saharan Africa. It is the charity's mission to give as many people as possible a safe and decent place to live.

We will be doing various sponsored challenges over the next 12 months to raise money for this great cause.

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.