VOLUNTEERS have raised £1,000 for the Kenya project in memory of a Weymouth man and lifetime volunteer Keith Puttock.

Around 50 volunteers took part in sponsored hikes, cycle rides, rock climbs and river runs to complete a 500-mile challenge across Dartmoor.

Trip organiser, Alice Green, said: “It was great. We all split into groups and completed these challenging activities.

“I was one of the cyclists and for most of the journey we travelled off-road.

“We tackled hills and bumpy moorland and covered around 32 miles.

“My muscles ached for days after but it was definitely worth it.”

The enthusiastic contributors have raised £1,000 in sponsorships that will help to fund the Kenya Project and build a memorial for Mr Puttock.

The Kenya project has been running for 12 years through Budmouth College and connects numerous schools in Dorset with schools in Kenya.

The money raised will now fund a one-year trip for recently retired teacher Andy Dukes, 56, to help develop communities in the Mara district.

He said: “I hope to leave for Kenya in October and have a variety of schemes to work on.

“My initial plan is to work with the local community on developing their education system.

“I will be training staff while also teaching a number of the pupils.

“I am also enthusiastic to get some sixth form students from Budmouth College involved in building a special needs school for the area.

“I am very grateful for all of the support.

“Keith was a close friend of mine and the money raised from the fundraiser will hopefully go towards plans for building an orphanage.”

The 500-mile challenge came together after Keith Puttock, aged 60, died from cancer earlier this year.

Mr Puttock was part of a volunteer team that took children from local schools on residential trips across Dartmoor. Friends who have worked with him over the last 23 years reunited to show their support for a project that they know he would have cared greatly about.

Alice Green said: “The best part about the trip was seeing everybody come together. We celebrated our achievement on the evening by throwing a party in one of the barns.

“It was so great to see everybody enjoying themselves.”

To make a donation to the Kenya Project please contact Alice Green on 07792 271215 and if you would like to join Andy in Kenya and participate in the project please contact Andy Duke on 07786 542034 or email him on dukesa@budmouth.dorset.sch.uk