Kenya calls for Penarth fundraiser (From Penarth Times)

Kenya calls for Penarth fundraiser

THE unstoppable James Radford has jetted off to Kenya again on a mission to help more of the country's needy.

Seventy-year-old Mr Radford, who lives on Redlands Road, Penarth, has visited the country countless times over the past ten years.

He sold his R and B Furniture store to raise money for Kenyan children 14 years ago after witnessing the poverty there.

So far, his remarkable efforts include setting up his own orphanage for 22 children; raising £1,200 for two-year-old Hamisi to have an operation after he was born with his feet facing backwards; donating two sewing machines to deprived Kenyan women; and more recently paying for life-saving treatment for baby Moses, who was born without any femurs or knee caps.

Great-grandfather Mr Radford, who suffers from a heart condition, travelled back to Kenya for a three-month stay on Tuesday.

He wants to see how Moses has progressed after a series of operations. Mr Radford had to raise almost £5,000 to fund to treatment.

Mr Radford, who lives with his wife Shirley, received a letter recently - written in broken English

- from Moses' father, Juma Fondo Gona.

The letter read: 'We cannot thank you enough for all the help you have given us. We are a very poor family and without your help Moses was doomed to life as a hopeless cripple. Moses is now able to move more freely as his legs are in plaster, but his right leg is not very strong and he does not like to use it. He is very busy crawling with his good leg and playing with the family. Thank you, God bless all of you."

Mr Radford said: 'This letter really touched me and I cannot wait to see how Moses has come on after his operations.

"He is such a gorgeous baby, and wouldn't have had a life without these operations.

"There is no future for people unless they can afford to pay for medicine.

"I want to thank everyone who has contributed towards Moses' treatment and the other causes. It brings a tear to my eye when I think of how generous people have been."

Mr Radford normally takes at least five suitcases filled with medicines, clothing and other vital equipment to Kenya.

However, he is unable to do so this time, and will have to buy the items when he gets there.

* If you would like to donate money to Mr Radford's charity, you can do so directly by paying in money to the Kenyan Children's Fund at HSBC Penarth, account number 81178075, sort code 40 36 06. Alternatively you can call his home on 02920 639900.