AN AFRICAN aid worker has sent out a message of thanks to kind-hearted Penarth people who paid for operations which will allow a young Kenyan boy to learn to walk.

Penarth man James Radford has been raising money for the past 14 years to help homeless children on the streets of Mombasa, and threw a lifeline to toddler Moses Juma who was born without femur bones in his legs and without knee caps.

Mr Radford has raised almost 5,000 to pay for a series of operations which have now given Moses the chance to learn to walk.

Aid worker Allison Jauss, who is working on the ground in Kenya, said: "They have carried out one operation and his left foot is now in position.

"I think we might see an end to the surgery in 2006. A physiotherapist will then start working with Moses to teach him how to walk if it is possible.

"We are all so grateful for your donations to help pay for Moses' treatment. I cannot tell you how much your help has been appreciated. The family of Moses are very humble and terribly poor. God bless you all."

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 is currently in Kenya helping the aid effort.

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.