After the sudden death of his mum, 19 year-old Kieran Vincent from Romford decided he wanted to help other people going through the same as he did, and in a month will be doing just this.

Kieran will be jetting off to South Africa for 18 days, part of which he will be volunteering at a large orphanage, helping young children who have also lost someone close to them.

Since losing his mum in 2007, Kieran has had a difficult four-and-a-half years, but is now even stronger.

He moved out of home and into the Romford YMCA hostel.

He joined Barking & Dagenham College in 2009 and is now in his final year studying Travel & Tourism.

While at College he also works part-time at Starbucks, in Romford, and is on the verge of secured his very own flat in the town, with the help of the YMCA.

During his time at the YMCA Kieran saw a notice for the experience of a lifetime, to travel to Africa for 18 days and to volunteer with orphans.

Kieran applied for the ‘Africa Wild Trails’ and was chosen out of hundreds of applicants throughout the country as one of 12 lucky people from YMCAs across the UK.

Kieran said: “I was so shocked when I got chosen, but obviously really happy. It is such a great experience but will also be a challenge.

“I think my mum would be really proud of me, staying at College, working hard, getting my own flat and now going to Africa to help others.

“I always promised my mum I would always work hard and really try everything to achieve my goals, and now I have and knowing that this would make my mum happy is amazing,” Kieran added.

Kieran’s tutor, Rachel Yates, said: “Kieran is an absolute pleasure to teach. He is a really inspirational person and even though he has been through some hard times, he has always stayed enthusiastic, focussed and hard working. Kieran truly deserved to have won a place on this trip, not only will it be a great experience for him it will also help him greatly in his course. Kieran is a great role model for other young people, I am really proud of him.”

Kieran will leave for Africa on April 30, where he will also work with communities effected by HIV, visiting local tribes, climbing a mountain and helping on a conservation project.