The time has come, after a year of training, self development, planning and fundraising, we are flying out to South Africa on Friday 27th October to the Tsusalushaka region of South Africa to help build a creche for vulnerable children.

There are 16 of us in total, and we each need to raise £3000 personally. Over the year, I've jumped out of a plane, held a ladies night, and on 15th October raised a staggering £1840 at my Music Variety Night. I am totally overwhelmed by all the support you've given to me and the project, and after several requests, have set up one last page for you guys to donate as you see our progress whilst we are out working on the project.

In this part of South Africa, 57% of children under the age of 18 have experienced some form of violence - mostly sexual - in the last 12 months. Parents work all day, but the children only attend nursery and pre-school until lunchtime, leaving them wandering the streets and vulnerable to horrific abuse in the afternoons. Incredibly, this abuse usually comes from someone they know. The creche we are helping to build will provide somewhere safe for the children to go until their parents can collect them. The children will also receive a free hot meal every day which is usually the only one they will have.

The project is co-ordinated by international charity World Vision, who have already built 42 schools, 24 creches, and 24 drop-in centres in the Tsusalushaka province. They work closely with the local people as well as overseas volunteers to ensure the projects they fund are of lasting value to the African communities.

There is a team of 15 of us going from the UK, and it will be a real test for us. First, we have to raise the funds, and then we will actually work on the creche a in what will be very difficult conditions because of the heat and limited resources available. We're looking forward to the challenge, though!

Please help support us and this cause.