While I was still at school, I had the opportunity to go and visit the Mthunzi Centre in Lusaka, Zambia.  The centre provides accommodation, support and counselling to former street children, most of whom are orphans.  The M.AL.I. (Mthunzi and Lilanda Initiative) charity was founded in Mid Argyll and over the past number of years has been concerned with raising money to pay for secondary education for the Mthunzi residents. Unfortunately, in Zambia, there are very few secondary schools so the youngsters are often placed in schools that are dotted all over the country.  Because these schools are so scattered and the education provision isn’t always good, M.A.L.I. has launched an initiative to raise funds to build a secondary school at Mthunzi.  This will not only benefit the young people at the centre whose school fees M.A.L.I. currently pay but also young people from the 4 elementary schools in the local area so that they too can achieve their education potential.

Over the years, I have continued to have direct involvement in M.A.L.I. as a committee member with some involvement in cultural exchange visits.  This year I have committed to this challenge to raise money for the new school.

The challenge I have set myself is to cycle the length of the Outer Hebrides beginning in Vatersay on Thursday 31 July 2014 and cycle north arriving at the most northerly point of the Hebrides, The Butt of Lewis on Thursday 7 August 2014 – approximately 200 miles.  Just to keep things interesting, I have decided to include a hill climb on some of the islands that make up the archipelago of the Outer Hebrides: Barra (Sheabhal 384 m); South Uist (Beinn Mhor 620 m) and Harris (An Cliseam 798 m). As a further challenge, I intend to swim in the sea every day of my journey.

I would gratefully welcome your support for this worthy cause however small the donation that you are able to contribute. I can assure you that every last penny will be used for the construction of the new secondary so that vulnerable youngsters can achieve their full potential. Thank you.