Since January 2016 I've been fundraising and developing links with the Arunima Hospice in Kolkata, India. The hospice helps children who are affected by and infected with HIV/Aids. Many of the children are either orphans or have been abandoned due to their disease.

Fundraising has been going well but there is much yet to achieve. As my last fundraising page expired, this is now the 2nd "Just Giving" page because several family and friends both near and far have wanted to donate but didn't know how.

The hospice are in desperate need of a new girls dormitory as well as a mini-bus. I'm currently raising the necessary funds for this new build (£4,000) through a series of fundraising events at work, with students and through Church.

However, I would also like to raise an additional amount to help purchase a second-hand bus. The children are not welcome in mainstream education and a lack of transport means that many of them cannot attend school which is a bus journey away.

I'm not exaggerating when I say that these kids have next to nothing. When I visit towards the end of March 2017 I imagine experiencing poverty and illness this close up will be one the hardest things I've ever done.
We can all make a difference... After suffering from cancer aged 29, I was blessed to be cured and this has left me with a determination to help others. I hope that the fundraising efforts from all involved, family, friends and students, will make a massive impact to the quality of the children's lives.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you have any questions about the Arunima Hospice I would be happy to help.

Thanks
Ross

Please Note: My trip to Kolkata is self-funded and all monies raised are being donated directly to the Arunima Hospice. Plenty of pictures will be taken during my trip as proof of what your kindness has achieved!