On May 7, Xavier Houot is going to attempt the biggest physical challenge of his life so that children from Kolkatas slums can have the chance to play music and sport.

Imagine swimming 3.8 km in the sea, cycling 180 km through the mountains, and then running a Marathon (26 miles). Imagine doing these one after the other, without any break, and trying to do all this for the first time at the age of 55.

That is exactly what Xavier plans to do when he takes part in a gruelling Ironman event in Majorca to raise money so that 650 young people at Calcutta Rescue's two education centres can learn to play sport and music.

Xavier, who learned to play the piano and organ at school, and loved playing sport, knows how much these things have enriched his life. Now he is determined to ensure that children from the most underprivileged families in Kolkata are able to benefit from them too.

With the money raised by this appeal, Calcutta Rescue will buy equipment and employ coaches to teach the children football, basketball and chess, and to play musical instruments and form a school band.

So please help Xavier open up new horizons for young people and allow them to fulfil their potential by making a donation now.