A CEO of a charity is taking on an extraordinary endurance challenge this month to raise funds for children in Darfur.

Andy Caudell, recently appointed CEO of Kids for Kids, will walk 20 miles carrying two 10kg jerrycans of water on as many days throughout August as his body will allow.

Andy plans to go through Gloucestershire, including the Forest of Dean, in a circular trip. The challenge, called Stride for Darfur, looks to raise funds to repair hand-pumps that have fallen into disrepair across Darfur.

The charity explained the idea behind the challenge highlights the difficulty children of Darfur face, and is a powerful demonstration of the daily journey thousands undertake to collect water for their families, often in temperatures reaching over 40 degrees.

Andy said: “It’s really a way to shine a light on the hardship and unimaginable poverty that exists in Darfur, and try to motivate people to help us to help them.”

Kids for Kids Charity was established in 2001 after its founder Patricia Parker discovered a child in the desert walking for seven hours to collect water everyday. The chance encounter prompted her to take action. This story moved Andy, and was part of the inspiration behind the challenge he has set.

The charity is one of the only organisations helping children in the remote villages of Darfur, Sudan, through a range of sustainable projects and life-saving emergency aid.

Andy said: “As the new CEO of Kids for Kids, I believe it's my responsibility to stand alongside the communities we support and shine a light on the challenges they face. I'm taking Stride for Darfur on so that together we can bring clean water closer to families and help end these daily walks”

He hopes his challenge will inspire people across the country to create their own Stride for Darfur to raise awareness and funds to better the lives of children in need.

Andy said: “It’s about making people aware that the unimaginable hardship is something we can do something about. We can enable communities to have access to water and we can give them the tools to allow them to thrive. I know it’s a long way away and there are lots of issues at home.

“The Sudan is going through the worst humanitarian crisis on the planet (words of the UN, not me) and we are very lucky that we have water and food on our table.

“I always say my postcode is planet Earth. That makes you, me and everybody our neighbour and I really want to help my neighbours.”

Those who want to participate are encouraged to set a personal challenge which suits their abilities.

Andy added: “You don't have to walk 20 miles to make a difference.

“Whether you challenge yourself to walk five miles, carry a bucket of water, organise a sponsored event with friends or simply support someone taking part, you'll be helping children who urgently need our support. No amount is too small and together, we can turn our footsteps into hope."

For more information about the challenge and how to get involved, you can visit the charity’s website, You can also support Andy in his challenge by visiting his Just Giving page.