Words by Smiley Team
A determined young fundraiser from north London is preparing to scale Mount Snowdon, to honour the memory of his grandfather, and raise funds for international children’s charity Save the Children.
Ten-year-old Dexter Durde never got the chance to meet his grandfather Yussef (known as Joe), as he sadly passed away before Dexter was born. But his father has shared many stories with him, about being born in Somalia before emigrating to Italy and then the UK in later life.
"One day recently we were sat down when a news article flashed up about the drought in Somalia and the subsequent hunger crisis happening there," said Dexter’s mother Carrie Durde. "It was of course quite confronting to see – and I could tell made Dexter think about his grandad. He turned to me and asked, “what can I do to help Grandpa Joe’s home country?”.
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The pair settled on the idea to climb Snowdon together to raise money, as Dexter has been learning about mountains at school.
Dexter has already far surpassed his fundraising target of £1000, with over £2,500 donated to his fundraising page, but Carrie says that families in Somalia need all the help they can get and she and Dexter would welcome any extra funds before they start the climb.
According to Save the Children, the number of children in Somalia receiving treatment for the most dangerous form of malnutrition surged 300% in the first six months of 2022 as the worst drought in years tightened its grip on the country.
Four consecutive rainy seasons have failed in the Horn of Africa with forecasts for a fifth poor rainy season later this year, with the crisis compounded by rising food prices due to the war in Ukraine and the economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Save the Children is working to help affected communities in Somalia cope with the immediate humanitarian effects of drought. The aid agency is providing emergency water supplies, treating malnourished children, supporting education systems so that children do not miss vital learning while displaced by drought, running health facilities, and providing cash and livelihood support to the most vulnerable.
"I’m so incredibly proud of Dexter," said Carrie. "And I know his grandfather would be as well. No child should have to go hungry. Please consider giving to this worthy cause – all donations are most welcome."
DONATE: You can donate to Dexter's fundraising page on JustGiving.
