Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I have decided to enter the Cheltenham Circular challenge to raise money for Stella's Charities. It will be shared between Stella's School Scheme, Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust and Sambel Kunda Village Clinic, helping this very poor rural community of Niamina East in The Gambia.

Malaria kills a child every 30 seconds in Africa and other insect borne diseases such as trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) are causing suffering and deaths in animals such as horses and donkeys and humans alike.

The money that is raised will enable us to buy malaria detection tests which are approx 80 pence each and malaria treatments approx £5 each. For the animals with trypanosomiasis a confirmation blood test and treatment is approx £1 each.

Malaria is caused by an infection of the red blood cells with a tiny organism or parasite called a protozoa. These organisms are carried from person to person by the Anopheles mosquito. Symtoms of malaria are sweating and shivers and exhaustion (caused by anaemia), some strains cause brain and kidney damage. If left untreated the vulnerable (young & old) often die.

Trypanosomiasis is a very real and prevalent disease in horses and donkeys in The Gambia and can also affect humans. It is passed on by biting Tsetse flies. Trypanosomiasis causes weight loss, anaemia and loss of appetite amongst other things and if left untreated will eventually result in death. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.