A group of five children and two adults organised a sponsored walk in Ilford, East London as part of Farm Africa’s Give Hunger the Boot campaign.

The participants are from the Islamic Circles Supplementary School (ICSS) who regularly meet at the Froud Centre in Manor Park, East London.

The walk was organised by Minna Virtanen, who volunteers at Farm Africa’s office and in her community as a Farm Africa Speaker. Minna talks to local schools, faith, and youth groups about Farm Africa’s work and also encourages them to support Farm Africa by fundraising.

After training as a Speaker, Minna was really keen to involve her group, ICSS in the Give Hunger the Boot campaign.

The group collectively walked 19.5 miles from the Froud Centre in Manor park, where their classes are held, to Ilford town hall, then through Ilford shopping centre to Valentines Park before ending at Ilford station. Their miles will contribute to Farm Africa’s goal to walk a full 16,000 miles “all the way around Africa” as part of the Great African Welly Walk 2014.

The group raised sponsorship in aid of Farm Africa and have so far raised £240. You can still support their efforts by making a donation on their fundraising page.

Taking part in the walk alongside Minna were 12-year old Farhaan and 14-year old Hassan from Redbridge, 15-year olds Nadia from Stratford and Zulakha from Forest Gate, 16-year old Anam from Manor Park and Dinah, a volunteer teacher at ICSS.

Minna said "It is a great feeling to see children from East London doing a Give Hunger the Boot walk locally to raise funds for people living in Africa, thousands of miles away. Adults should definitely support these efforts. Farm Africa is helping millions of Africans in poor areas to improve their living standards through improved farming techniques. What they do is sustainable development at its best.”

Nadia added "It was very beneficial, and a great experience to feel that we are helping people in need."

Ready to join ICSS by taking part in Give Hunger the Boot? Find out how your wellies can help Africa’s farmers Give Hunger the Boot - for good.