This story starts when we heard from Kenneth Laycock, one of our supporters who has become one of our greatest unsung heroes.

Kenneth wrote to us nearly two years ago, letting us know that he had included a gift to Save the Children in his Will.

When we phoned to thank him for being so thoughtful, he told us that after much deliberation, he had decided that he would like to leave most of his worldly belongings to help Save the Children's work in Africa. "You can't take things with you after you're dead" he said, "and I'd rather know it was going to be put to good use once I've gone, rather than gather dust somewhere'.

In November 2010 at the age of 79, Kenneth sadly passed away.

His wonderful legacy lives on

However, his memory and the charity he showed in his lifetime lives on today. Out of the sadness of an end to one person's life, comes a story of great happiness and of hope for thousands of African children.

As a result of his decision to include a final gift in his Will, in September of last year we received an amazing cheque for $313,736. Kenneth's wonderful gift is going to be put to great use, just as he wanted. We're building much needed facilities for children living in Dadaab, one of the world's largest refugee camps in Kenya.

The difference his gift will make

The needs in East Africa are huge - the drought and resulting food crisis in East Africa continues to be the largest emergency happening in the world today. Millions of children are still facing severe malnutrition and tens of thousands are estimated to have died.

However, six months into the food crisis, we are beginning to see some improvements. Save the Children have helped to save millions of lives and continues to provide daily life-saving food, water, healthcare and nutritional support, as well as education and child protection to millions more children.

As the refugee camp at Dadaab grows to accommodate the large numbers of children and families arriving everyday from Somalia, more help is required to save children's lives. Kenneth's truly remarkable and generous gift will undoubtedly save the lives of countless children struggling to survive in East Africa.

Helping long into future

The buildings that Kenneth's gift will help pay for will also provide thousands of children with a range of early childhood development sessions, teaching life skills and vocational training. Importantly, the centres will also act as a hub for counseling, reunification of lost children with their families, fostering and child protection services.

Kenneth's wonderful gift serves as a powerful reminder to us all that including a charitable gift in your Will can transform the lives of children long into the future. You can read more amazing stories of hope and thoughtfulness.

Find out how a gift in your will could help transform the future and save children's lives. Alternatively please contact Ross Anderson on 1800 76 00 11.