God willing, I will hit 60 on Friday 14th May 2021. A huge blessing!

60 is more years than the life expectancy of people in Sierra Leone. To have been in harm's way a few times and still be here to tell the tale is special.

I've had opportunities and experiences many will not know: love and care of parents and special people; assurance of a roof over my head and food on my plate; abundance of reasons to laugh...

I've enjoyed good health that, among other things, enables me to be there for many less fortunate than me; principally through SLWT (formerly Sierra Leone War Trust for Children). I am a co-founder and current chair of this 22 year old charity which has:

• Supported Internally Displaced Family through micro finance during and after Sierra Leone's civil war.

• Rebuilt a school that serves 30 villages in a very remote part of the country (Thuan Mathinki).

• Organised construction of wells to make water more easily available in Kagbankona (Bombali District) and Songo (Port Loko District).

• Built a traditional birthing centre (Thuan Mathinki) - significant in a country once described as "the most dangerous country to have a baby".

• Supported rehabilitation of child soldiers and war sex slaves through training in agriculture and cooperatives.

• Supported through scholarships the secondary education of girls to prevent potentials being wasted through early marriage or because of lack of resources.

• Currently supporting through two programmes orphans of the Ebola epidemic of 2014-2016 and the August 2017 mudslide disaster.

Celebrating 60 years of my blessings would have more meaning to me if opportunities for others is part of the deal, and I ask you all to help me with that.

I plan to spend a quarter of my birthday on what I am dubbing a Sixtython. On the day, I will try to complete in six hours:

• 60 second plank

• 60 press ups

• 60 sit ups

• 60 squats

• 60 kilometre bike ride

• 60 minute run

I am asking you to sponsor this effort by making a donation to SLWT.

While I prepare for it, please visit www.slwt.org to find out more about what we have done and continue to do.