I have met Harun when I lived in Kenya for a couple of years. He worked for me and my family. I got to know him and also a little about his family - his wife Rose John and his daughters Lucy, Sara and Faith whom Harun talked about all the time.

Harun worked hard as a gardener to support his family, who stayed near Lake Victoria whilst he lived and worked in Nairobi. He sent money home to pay for food, accommodation, medical bills for his wife Rose, who has a hole in the heart, and also school fees for his son John who was at secondary school at the time. He struggled to pay these bills with his KSH 9.000 (approximately £ 63) wage.

I came to know Harun as a hard working, caring and honest person - no work was ever too much for him. He was often worried about how to make ends meet though.

Harun wants his children to have a better life, get a good education and as a result of this, was hoping for them to get well paid jobs and escape the circle of poverty.

Harun went home to live near his family for a while but could not find regular employment and, since March, is working in Nairobi again. His monthly salary is about 17.000 KSH, which is not enough to support his children’s education and make ends meet (rent, food and medical bills). Jon is now at university at Nakuru and Lucy at secondary school. University fees for Jon are 80.000 KSH per semester and Lucy’s school fees are 36.000 KSH per term.

I am walking the West Highland Way (96 miles) over 6 days from the 16th of May with my youngest daughter Hannah to raise money to help Harun and Rose to put all 4 of their lovely children through school and university so they might have a chance of a better future. Any money raised will also help to pay for any ongoing medical treatment Rose might need. Hannah and I will be wild camping where we can.

I know it is unusual not to raise money for a specific charity and I know there are many people around the world living in similar circumstances as Harun but I would like to take this opportunity to raise some money for someone I know personally, because I know that any money raised will make a huge difference to this family.