A MEMBER of staff from a housebuilding firm is preparing to take part in a charity trip of a lifetime, helping to build new homes for orphans and vulnerable children in Africa.

Jake Richardson, an engineering manager for Miller Homes, will be taking part in the annual Habitat for Humanity Global Village trip to the district of Salima in Malawi, alongside 16 other Miller Homes work colleagues.

This is the second year the national housebuilder has taken part in the trip and as well as the physical construction of the new homes, the team will witness first-hand how a safe and secure home can benefit many aspects of life for the immediate family and wider community.

After taking part in previous, local charity activities led by Miller Homes, Jake said he is excited to be part of the Global Village Trip this year, saying:

"I actually applied for the Malawi visit when I first started with the company about three years ago, so I’ve always been interested in the scheme and jumped at the opportunity when the chance came up again.

"I’ve done lots of travelling in the past, particularly to poor countries, so it’s great to be able to give back to these communities.

"Creating homes links to our professional skill-set, so it’s a fantastic initiative to be part of at Miller Homes.

"The more we build, the better, and I can’t wait to get going.”

Although the trip is being funded by Miller Homes, each volunteer must raise £1,000 for Habitat for Humanity as part of their commitment to the trip. Jake has already drummed up over £3,000.

Manuela Campbell, head of operations and strategy at Habitat for Humanity, added:

"We are thrilled that Miller Homes are returning to Malawi with Habitat for Humanity, building on their financial and time investment and demonstrating a continued commitment to addressing housing poverty around the world.

"Their fundraising and the hard work they will put in on the construction site will help transform the lives of vulnerable families in Malawi. Every brick they lay is a critical step to a new, better life."

Miller homes, which has an office in Worcester, is a national homebuilder with branches across the country.

For more information on the fundraising efforts, visit giving.habitatforhumanity.org.uk/cf/Miller-Homes-Malawi-2019.