Hi everyone!

This coming July I will be flying off to various parts of South East Africa for 3 weeks on a volunteer program with a fantastic organisation called VESAbroad. They focus on 3 key areas which are education, construction and conservation within their volunteer programs in order to help the lives of the local people and the surrounding environment. In my case I will be helping in the construction of houses, classrooms, bathroom blocks within a Khulu village where much of the population are suffering from HIV. Furthermore, I will be helping in local wildlife sanctuaries who are short staffed to aid conservation efforts for species such as cheetahs and the capture and release of crocodiles. Finally, I will be helping teach English to children in primary schools. The money I raise for this trip goes towards all the building materials and equipment that will be used during my time out there.

After my time volunteering I will also get the opportunity to experience a number of exciting activities that Africa has to offer including a safari, a river boat trip and indulging in the local culture. My trip will begin in Durban in South Africa and will then lead to Swaziland and conclude in Mozambique. Obviously all this doesn't come cheap which is why I will be running in the Torbay half-marathon in order to help raise money for this trip. This is the trip of a lifetime and gives me the opportunity to help those in need. Anything you can give in support of me running this half-marathon will be greatly appreciated and will send me to Africa to help a great cause. VESA has helped change the lives of thousands of people around the globe and I can't wait to be a part of it.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and for anything you can give!

Matt Perrodou