The group will travel to Nakuru in Kenya to spend eight days working at local schools there to help improve conditions for the pupils and their families.

Projects earmarked include improving sanitisation, building new classrooms and increasing safety measures. They will also support teaching and physical activity both in the classroom and in local communities.

Rams In Kenya

Sharon explained: “Both Natalie and I were keen to join the trip to support the five local schools, sharing some of our skills but also to learn, understand and experience new and different cultures.

“I hope that my skills will contribute to the overall effort although Natalie seems to have more to offer as a football coach and grade three guitarist!

“Whatever project we are assigned, we expect to be taken out of our comfort zones and are looking forward to the challenge but also to making new friends and learning new skills.

Special Thank You For Local Support

“Between us, we have to raise almost £4k and have had a super response from the local business community - particularly Timms Solicitors, Work Wallet, Chevin Homes, White Peak Wealth Management, Kit Change, threeguru and Cactus Images who will all be sponsoring our t-shirts.

“Natalie has done really well selling space on her T-shirt and, after writing personal letters to three businesses, all of them responded with support pledges.

“We currently have around £600 to go to hit our fund raising target but we have recently done another bake sale which raised £75.

DCCT 'Sleepout'

“We are both also participating in the DCCT ‘Sleepout’ which involves spending the night outside the football stadium in March which we hope to get sponsors for. I hate not having any sleep so I know I will be pretty difficult to live with after this experience – as well as hobbling off to the chiropractor!

Sharon continued: “I have been involved with Derby County Community Trust for many years now and have seen the fabulous work they do in the Derby community and beyond.

“At their recent awards evening, I was overwhelmed to hear some of the incredible stories of resilience, determination and kindness from both staff and volunteers. It made me question what I could do and the answer was – join the Rams in Kenya.

“It is also great to know that a proportion of our fundraising stays here in Derby for the Trust to use towards some of their projects and programmes”

Here is a flavour of what is ahead of the Rams in Kenya volunteers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfp-Yk3_oTg&t=4s