Back in 2007 I visited Kenya with Helie for an amazing holiday but while there I noticed so many children that needed help. I came back saying to myself I wanted to make a difference, I wanted to help. So I did some google research and found an amazing lady called Sue Hayward who was helping many children in Watamu. Kenya with education and now with a Happy House, orphanage. So I contacted Sue and said I wanted to help not only by raising money but using my creative skills. I updated the website, made a video took some photos and visited Kenya again to see Sue and her husband Dave and was even more blown away by their passion and commitment to improve the lives of the children.  This couple are amazing and pleased to call them friends. It was pleasing to see all the money goes towards the children, their care and importantly their education.  Sue has an amazing team here in UK and in Kenya and has a great friend and supporter Elizabeth Gomm who does and excellent blog and so much more for the charity. In the time I have known Sue I have seen a Happy House be build for the orphans and I have become a trustee.

To help raise funds I have devoted some of my cf10ten ltd time this year to take photos at weddings and other events along with a few video and joomla website favours in return for a donation to the Children of Watamu charity.  This money has gone towards sponsoring Harrison, his sister Slama and brother Ushindi along with thier farm project which we hope to link to our farm project.... more on that next year. So a big thank-you to all who have donated, enjoyed my work and I look forward raising more money and awareness next year.

Read more: Harrison - a lovable mischief

 Take one more just in case *smile*

Its the time of year when I get asked which camera should I buy? An ideal Christmas present its not a question thats easy to answer as the range is huge and even mobiles and tablets have the ability to capture quality images. The advice I can give is to go and try some out and see what feels right. If you are serious then a digital SLR is the way to go I am a canon man but they can be expensive especially with extra lenses and a lot to carry around. Bridge cameras are good but a lot depends on the user and if they have an 'eye' for a photo. A compact would be the way to start and work your way up. Once you get the photo bug no stopping you. The photos you take capture social history and wil bring a lot of pleaseure for many years so you need a cmaera that wil encourage you to take photos. Maybe some advice I would give is go with one that has a good optical zoom lens not worry about digital zoom lens ability. Check on battery life and of course affordable memory cards as you will need a few if away for some time.

Here is a link to amazon cameras if you buy one from them I get a small percentage *smile* Samsung ST66 is good value

Read more: Photography buying yourself a camera