Hello!  Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

As you may already know I am taking part in a cycle challenge in Kenya in November, cycling from Nairobi to Kisumu (435 kms / 270 miles) along the old colonial route across the Rift Valley to Lake Victoria over 5 days ... a fairly demanding challenge, especially for someone who has not done a great deal of cycling since I finished my paper round when I was 16!

Why? you may ask!! 

Well, I'm doing it to raise funds and the profile of a charity called the Kenyan Orphan Project (KOP). 

KOP was started in 2001 by 3 medical students to fight against poverty, disease, social exclusion and injustice and to help improve the lives of orphans and vulnerable children in Kenya.
KOP works independently as a charity in the UK, but also in partnership with local project groups in Kenya. KOP supports communities and people who are suffering or are disadvantaged through poverty, the burden of disease or lack of access to adequate health care and education. It also works to empower individuals and communities to be self-sufficient and to build a future free from disadvantage.

As a result of the efforts of KOP, thousands of orphans and vulnerable children - in an area that suffers significant deprivation, poverty and disease - have been given improved health, a chance at better education and an opportunity to develop and succeed. 

During 2010 KOP is committing support to various programmes including:
· the ongoing running a night shelter for street children
· school fees, vocational training and feeding programmes for various orphan centres
· installation of fresh water bore holes at schools and nutrition centres
· provision of school meals for 650 primary children and income generation programmes/agriculture at Kunya Primary School /community
· foster support for 37 orphans, the provision of access to schooling and medical support

 For more info see the website :  http://www.kopafrica.org

I am funding the cost of this challenge, so 100% of all money donated will help fund the work of the Kenyan Orphan Project
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.

The training is going well - I recently completed 64 miles of the Tarka Trail in Devon, but there's still a long way to go.....so please dig deep and donate now.

Many thanks…and wish me luck!
Catherine