DEDICATED charity worker Karl Iveson is facing the prospect of coming home early if he does not find a sponsor soon.
Karl is working in Uganda at a football academy to help improve the lives of underprivilged children.
The Guardian featured Karl’s mission to provide fun and healthy football coaching for the children of Jinga in Southern Uganda.
However, his funds are rapidly running out and his planned stay in Africa until October is in danger of being cut short. He may now be forced to come home to Rhodes as early as July.
Karl lives with his mum Jean, in Manchester Old Road, and she has appealed on behalf of her son to find a willing sponsor to help him finish his voluntary time in Uganda.
Jean Iveson said: "He is desperate to stay there longer but he is running out of money quickly. He saved up hard to get there but it turns out the £1,400 he was told would be enough to get him through is nowhere near enough. Karl has really taken to the children and is very concerned for their welfare and really cares about them. He donated £50 of his own money to help one of the brother's of a boy he coaches to get vital medication to treat his Malaria. He just could not stand back and watch the boy suffer so stepped in and offered all he could."
By securing funding or sponsorship Karl would be able to continue running the Football Academy, which has brought something fun to the lives of children who live in one of the most deprived and disease-ridden areas of the world.
Readers are also encouraged to donate used and old sports kit to send over to Africa as such resources are invaluable due to education and sports facilities being rare and expensive.
Karl added: "While I am over her I just want to reach as many young people as I can and just give them hope. They have a much harder life compared to children of the same age in England so I am des do seomething to help them have a better life. I hope when I leave the football will continue and there will be a structure in place to improve it."
If you are interested in sponsoring Karl please contact Guardian reporter Denise Evans on 0161 643 3615 or email denise.evans@menwn.co.uk
