It would prove to be an unforgettable experience, amidst the stunning African landscapes the group were welcomed into a community like no other and after five days of hard graft they came away with lifelong memories, and a true understanding of what their hard work and generosity really means to a remote village in the Maasai Mara.

Here is a first hand account of the experience from Claire Goodall, one of our Flying Club Gold members:

All throughout our experience the genuine welcomes were positively overwhelming, physically moving and so, so humbling. Our Virgin Atlantic Ambassadors, the Virgin Atlantic team at Nairobi Airport, the team and staff at the Bogani Cottages, the Babas in the fields with their cattle, the Mamas carrying fire wood along the road, each and every child we passed on the road or visited at a school greeted us into their world with open arms with unquestioned love and care as if we were long lost relatives. I’m lost for words to describe the feeling experienced from the generous welcome ceremony of the Ngosuani community.

I was on the train up to London in the rush hour last week and was immediately struck by the isolation, the disinterest and gloom that surrounded me - I wanted to stand up and scream 'Jambo!'/'Hello!' in the same way I was greeted everywhere in Kenya, but I knew people would just stare and twitter about the crazy lady on the train... what a shame! Happiness is definitely a priceless gift.

Building with the Kenyan 'fundis'

We are also delighted to add that although the target was to raise £14,000 in total, the final fundraising amount for the group was over £30,000! And as a testament to how much the experience inspired the group, they have since established a new fundraising effort with the goal of sponsoring a Kenyan girl to attend Kisaruni High School - a school focused on empowering young women to be positive change makers in their community. This is a commitment to raise $10,000 to pay for the 4 year education program, and the group are very proud to announce that their sponsored girl has started school this week.

To find out more about Free The Children and their 'Adopt a Village' programme, take a look at their website.

And remember, you can donate Flying Club miles to Free The Children by calling your Flying Club helpline on: 0800 072 1234.

And 'Me to We Artisans', whose Maasai Jewellery collection features in our retail therapy range, give half their profits to the charity.