SHEFFIELD schoolboy Joe Bertram was so touched by the plight of thousands of African children that he donated his birthday money to kickstart his massive fundraising campaign.
He has set himself the target of raising £50,000 – enough to pay for one year at school for 442 children living in the village of Lesotho in Malealea.
Joe is only 14 – but he's been looking forward to taking part in City School's work in the area for three years.
Now the big trip – when he will be among 50 other pupils to visit the village and help out with practical work including building reservoirs and fitting irrigation systems – is in sight.
But in the run-up to the visit next March he wants to raise as much money as he can to pay for the projects.
With supermarket bag packing, washing cars, sponsored walks and mowing people's lawns just some of the activities Joe has in mind, it's clear that it's going to be a very busy few months.
He also wants businesses to come forward and help with sponsorship – appealing for £113 to sponsor an African child through school.
Joe, of Ashleigh Drive, Gleadless, said: "I know it's a big target but the more I get the more I can help them out there. I feel sorry for them because we have got so much and they have got hardly anything.
"I gave my birthday money because I couldn't think of anything better to buy with it and thought it would be a good way to get started. I first heard about what the school did out there in year seven and I knew straight away I wanted to be involved.
"I'll be in year 10 when I finally go so I'll have been looking forward to it for a long time!
"Before then I've got loads of fundraising ideas to make some money. My mum wants me to sit in a bath of beans but I'm not so sure – I think I'd prefer to wash her car 50 times instead!"
To help him with his fundraising challenge email his teacher Ken Dunn, who has organised the trip, by email
kdunn@city.sheffield.sch.uk or call 0114 2358137.
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