We first had the idea that we should as a company leave behind us some advantages for the people in the countries we travel to that were not simply commercial.

Firstly we took out a suitcase full of books for the Crche set up by Zeru Woldemichael for his staff at NICE. Then we decided we would support a new school being set up in Uganda with the help of Peter King of CKRe, and so the proceeds from two consecutive user group day fund-raisers when to this school. Next we decided to direct assistance to families who still feel the effects of the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. So we have decided to help set up small Goat Farms. One of Zeru's other ventures is an animal feed supplies company and as such he has himself donated 6 months of animal feed. We need to fund the purchase of goats, enough to breed a good gene pool.

Our clients including Alsford Page & Gems and Paul Napier have generously dug deep and we have enough for about 10 goats. But I wanted a few more for wastage and loss.

One evening I was watching "Who do you think you are?" and it featured Jeremy Paxman. As he was naming and discovering his relatives I was sitting with my laptop on my knee and my other interest, Genealogy, was too strong to ignore so I browsed around a few sites I frequent as part of the hobby! A few moments later I had found a large part of his family tree, but there was more so I kept digging and found more brothers and sisters etc. What if, I thought, only the direct line was presented to Jeremy through the program?? I thought it would be nice to forward the information I had found, especially if it was additional to what Jeremy already had. So I emailed him and thought well I wanted nothing but what a perfect opportunity to increase the herd!!

Jeremy you star, we are three goats better off and it is much appreciated. Your family tree is on its way (as soon as I get back from Sudan!)

Goats: Kealon. Michaela, Eva, Caroline, Margriet, Jonno, Maximus, Taylor, Harry, Gemma.