Four years' ago, my daughter Jess, aged 9, singlehandedly raised £1000 to help build a water bore and pump in a Malawi village that her infants school supported. Since then, she has held some school cake sales and craft table top sales to raise more money for the village, enabling the children to wear uniform to school, and helping contribute to other empowering educational- and health-focused projects. Jess was subsequently invited to be the charity's first Junior Ambassador and has introduced the cause to her junior school - which has since become a fundraising supporter itself.

The Umoyo Community Project is now planning one of its biggest projects yet. And Jess and I will be running 5km in the dark (?) at Run or Dye Glow on Saturday 19 October to raise funds to build a library and staff room at Mkama Primary School. The long-term aim is to incorporate solar power in the building so that we can eventually introduce computers to the area.

Just as Jess's first big fundraising endeavour stretched her to the limit as she attempted to swim 1km for the very first time, attempting a 5km run will also be a first for her. I have no such excuse, but a 5km straight run nowadays, without chasing a hockey ball at the same time, will be a challenge for me too!

Many thanks for supporting this initiative. It's been a long time coming, as Jess hasn't wanted to ask her family and friends too frequently to dig deep. Let's see what we can do!

We'll let you know how we get on!

Thank you.

Umoyo Orphan project was registered as a charity in England & Wales in 2008 (Registered charity No 1124720)