The Xanda Foundation provides opportunities to socially and economically disadvantaged young people in underprivileged communities. We provide free technology-based educational courses to hundreds of young people in Gambia, through the amazing generosity of our volunteer teachers and the donation of temporary learning spaces.

This summer we want to build on our work and take it to the next level. Our plan is to build a school. We have secured a landsite in Serekunda, Gambia; a 5,000 sq foot plot where students will be able to learn in safety and tranquility. We have the teachers in place and Xanda Ltd, my digital media agency, will be donating the computer hardware.

The school will provide facilities for up to 50 students at a time. Our ambition is to provide free classes to hundreds of students each year. Many of them have had no real education, no chance at a meaningful career or income, and the freedom that brings. Many of our students are young women, for whom this programme offers an alternative to forced marriage and domestic enslavement, providing them with the tools to make choices for themselves.

Our appeal this Summer is to raise £35,000 to build and operate the school.

Thank you in advance to all our donors and our partners, Adebayo Akinfenwa, Ian Wright and Mikel Antonio. Without you all this would not have been possible.