Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

Twenty-year-old Henry Taylor from Hessle, is a former student of Hymers College who is going to university in autumn 2008, but between March and May of the coming year, Henry will be working at the Open Arms Infants Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ in Malawi.

The 30-40 infants there have HIV/AIDS and it's a sad fact that some of the children won't survive beyond their fifth birthday. It's hoped that those who survive to the age of four or five will return to their homes and villages.

The plane tickets have been bought and he's already booked a flight to Malawi to work at the home which has been in existence now for twelve years and was set up by a colleague of Henry's father.

Henry is paying for all his own costs, but since last April he has been undertaking various fundraising activities to try to raise enough money to cover the running costs of the home whilst he is out in Malawi. He will be helping in a practical way by working at the home supporting the infants during a difficult time. He's also raising money to help keep the home running

Henry and Frank's sponsored cycle ride.

His fundraising efforts began in earnest in April 2007. He and Frank Smith took part in a Henry Taylor and Frank Smith on a sponsored cycle ride from Workington to Newcastle. Henry says Frank who's much older than Henry put him to shame and often chased off into the distance, leaving Henry huffing and puffing to catch up.

They planned to travel, west to east as it was thought the prevailing wind would help them on their journey. Unfortunately, nature had other ideas and the wind swung around and came unexpectedly from the opposite direction making it tough going. He said it was cold and wet but it was worth the effort.

Henry and Alice

In September, he held a quiz night with over 130Μύpeople taking part and the night raised Β£388. Henry is with Alice Baxter receiving the prize on behalf of the winning team, 'Spiders from Mars', made up of the Baxter and Frith families from Hessle.

Henry (r) rasing money in a supermarket

Henry also raised money with a collection at ASDA’s on Hessle Road in November and raised £250. The picture shows Henry with collectors Emma Robinson and Sue Edgar and he said he was surprised by how generous people were considering the charity is not that well known.

Henry is no stranger to travel and attended boarding school in Canada and doesn't think he'll be too homesick during his stay in Malawi.Μύ He'll be based at a hostel and says although his living costs will be low, his standard of living won't be as low as that of some of the native population.