Sarah Byatt - Bog or Louie to her many, many friends - was a great champion of wildlife in general, Africa in general and ACE Africa in particular.

In her late 20s, Sarah was diagnosed with the horrible crapness that is MS. Nevertheless, she continued to work in wildlife programmes and to travel to Kenya. In her 40s and 50s, increasingly debilitated, she remarkably and heroically supported ACE by cycling marathons in her kitchen.

ACE - its values and its beneficiaries - was dear to Bog's heart. She will be so, so proud to be supporting it from beyond the grave.

Below, please read a note from the ACE team about Sarah's work with them and about how money raised in her name will be spent.

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It is with great sadness that we learned of Sarah’s death. She was so engrained and part of the Ace Africa family, it is in fact almost impossible to remember when we first met. What is certain is that Sarah was the most remarkable, active advocate and fundraiser for our work, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for Ace Africa over the past fifteen years.

Sarah's deep love for Africa was embodied in her determination and commitment to support vulnerable children, particularly orphans living in absolute poverty. It was this that led her to Ace Africa and the support of our work in Kenya and Tanzania. In the early days, she visited the remote and hard to reach areas where we work in Western Kenya, battling the bumps, chaos and difficulties with fortitude, humility and humour.

Sarah is responsible for far more than raising funds. Her magnificent, brave and totally amazing pedalling was one thing; but another was her establishing over the years of a complex, intricate and loyal web of support, which stretches from individuals to trusts and is sustained to this day.

We would like Sarah’s final fundraising to support young girls in Kenya and Tanzania who are at risk of early marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, trafficking and sexual violence. We provide them with education, life skills and small business opportunities to give them independence, build resilience and the opportunity to thrive. Something close to Sarah’s heart.

Thank you dear Sarah for all you have done for Ace Africa – We will all miss you.

With love

Joe, Augustine and Anthony

Ace Africa Founders