Hello, my name is Marcus Burt, I am currently 16 years old and I attend the Sir John Colfox Academy. I have been lucky enough to have the chance of a lifetime to travel to Tanzania for an experience that I will never forget. The expedition will take place over a four week period in the summer of 2019 of which will involve many challenging and physically demanding tasks.

Throughout the expedition, I will be helping to improve the lives of thousands of Tanzanian citizens of which are living in such overwhelmingly poor conditions and are in desperate need of aid. In Tanzania, the life expectancy is little over 50 years of age; that's approximately 30 years less than what it is in the UK. One of the key factors why the life expectancy is so low is the fact that and alarming majority of the population live below the poverty line. The very poor wages, lack of educational facilities and the lengths that people have to travel for water all contribute to the poor living conditions that the locals have to face on a daily basis. During the four weeks I will be helping to develop schools, the water supply and much, much more!

In terms of fundraising I am going to be enduring in many sporting activities of which will put my fitness to the test. I am planning to run a half marathon, and a number of other sporting activities that will challenge my physical and mental fitness to their very peak.

Finally, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read my story, especially if you have been so kind as to not only help me personally fulfill a once in a lifetime opportunity, but also to help Tanzanian families of which are living in such terrible conditions that are a complete contrast to what we take for granted here in the UK.