This year I'll be running the last 1.1 miles of the Great North Run barefoot for CAFOD, in solidarity with people in extreme poverty for whom shoes, let alone trainers, are an unaffordable luxury.

I'll have an extra spring in my step though, as in early September I'm going to visit Kenya to see first-hand how your donations are used to change the lives of people in poverty. At present, the plan is to visit a training centre, a sports project in Niarobi's largest slum and a centre helping households which are headed by children.

HIV/AIDS has left many children to bring up their younger brothers and sisters after their parents have died.  I think this might be the most challenging part of my trip.

You can follow the build up to my visit at www.twitter.com/johnsinkenya and I hope to tweet from Kenya.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my page and bigger thanks for your donation. CAFOD will spend it wisely.