Dear friend,

Lindsay and I are again raising funds for Pebbles, the charity founded by Sophy Warner in South Africa in 2003 to provide support, love, play and after school education and activities to children with Foetal Alcohol Syndrome. Sophy and her growing team now care for over 600 children in a number of creches and after school clubs throughout the Winelands. In 2009, Lindsay and I walked around the Isle of Wight and raised £1883 which covered part of the costs of employing a one-to-one carer for Shannon Lee, who at the time was exhibiting particularly challenging behavioural problems. He is photographed above with his father and aunt at his matriculation dance on 23 November 2011. A great achievement for Shannon Lee but without Pebbles' support he would not be facing a brighter future - something which is also down to you, our friends who sponsored us last time. Thank you.

This time we are raising funds to buy computer-based educational software for the new laptops which were recently donated to Pebbles by a generous sponsor from the USA. The software costs around ZAR500 locally for each package and we are looking to provide at least two packages for each of the 9 after-school clubs. Available are maths games, language activities and other programmes to support the general curriculum.

There are many ways in which we can make a difference to the lives of these children but we hope that you will join us in doing so by sponsoring Lindsay and me to lose at least a combined weight of 25 lbs by Valentine's Day 2012. That means no wine for 6 weeks (except for our birthdays)!

Love,

Risto & Lindsay