Seventy-one-year-old George Eley, of Wellow Road, Eakring, runs a small pest control business, Eley Pest and Field Services, in Ollerton, and first encountered the family after travelling to Africa for work.

George told Chad: "I went to work in Nigeria in the early 70s and fell in love with Africa having worked there for three years.

"After that I've been going back on holidays ever since. While on a holiday in Gambia with a friend I was introduced to the Manjang family and saw the shocking conditions the five of them live in. I promised that I would help them in any way that I could."

George aims to help the family, who welcomed him with open arms, by paying for a new roof to be put on the tiny family home to ensure they can live in dry conditions.

And he also plans to install a working shower for the family and build a real floor to replace the bare earth floor the family now live on.

George said: "I also met an 18-year-old IT student, Mariama, who has been forced to quit her education as she has to fund her own studies.

"It's a relatively small amount of money, £700 to £1,000, and it's also one of my aims to pay for that.

"I just want to help put a little back, they're lovely people, very nice and friendly –– once I've done this for them I will try and find something else to help with."

Having always funded his trips from his own savings, George is now having to consider his retirement and putting some money aside for himself, giving him less from his own pocket to put toward the venture.

As a result George is now asking businesses and locals to dig deep and help him raise the money needed to make a difference.

"This is my first real attempt at fundraising and I'm hoping the people of Mansfield can step forward and lend a helping hand," he said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation or offer help with the fundraising should contact George on Mansfield 870606 or 07930 829340.