From 1st to 7th June, I will be walking from Cheltenham to Bournemouth to raise funds for new playground equipment for two early childhood schools in Kenya: Bisure ECD and Nyamwanga ECD.

In October, I travelled to Kenya with the BOO Charity and visited all of their projects, including these two schools. At one of the schools, the bell rang for break time and I stood watching four- and five-year-old children rush outside to play. What should have been a moment of pure joy was hard to watch. The metal slides were rusted, full of holes and unsafe to use. Instead of sliding, the children climbed up and down cautiously, navigating the damage as best they could.

I then noticed a child climbing onto what used to be a swing. There was no seat left, so he simply held onto the metal pole and swung his body back and forth. That image has stayed with me ever since.

At the other school, while I was being given a tour of the grounds, I saw more broken and damaged play equipment. It was clear the children had very little that was safe to use, yet they were still trying to play and make the best of what they had.

Since that day, I haven’t stopped thinking about how something as simple as a playground, something we take for granted here in England, is such a luxury elsewhere, and how incredibly lucky our children are.

That moment became the inspiration for Steps for Swings. The goal is simple but powerful: to replace unsafe playground equipment with safe, durable swings and play structures so these children can play, learn and develop properly.

Research shows that playground equipment is vital for early childhood development. It helps children build physical strength, coordination, confidence and social skills. Play is not just fun. It is essential.

All funds raised will go through BOO, a zero-administration charity, meaning 100% of donations go directly to the projects. This is something many charities cannot offer and it ensures that every step I take, and every pound donated, makes a real and tangible difference to the children who need it most.

I hope to turn steps into swings and give these children the safe, joyful play spaces they deserve.