Lovemore Kadeya is living proof of the ability to triumph over adversity.

As one of nine children, raised in a mud hut in the wilds of Aids-ravaged Zimbabwe, he had a tough start in life.

Yet he was always eager for an education and a better life - and all he needed was a helping hand.

Luckily for him, that help arrived in the form of Hove actor Deryk Parkin.

Deryk began sponsoring Lovemore's education 16 years ago and the two are now lifelong friends, who work to help other children in Africa.

Lovemore has now travelled thousands of miles to visit Deryk at his home in St Aubyns, Hove, to drum up more support for the charity named after him.

Lovemore, who is now 23 and married with a son, runs The Lovemore Trust, which matches sponsors with children in his home town of Penhalonga.

The sponsorship, which costs just 21p a day, is enough to provide a child with a uniform, materials and an education they would otherwise not get.

Thanks to Deryk's sponsorship, Lovemore went on to get six O-levels, three A-levels and complete a business management course in Worthing.

Deryk said: "Lovemore was so appreciative of my support but he said there was no way he could repay me except by working hard. And that is what he has done.

"There are many more children like him who need the same break in life."

Each of the charity's supporters, which include Deryck's showbiz friends, including Sir Derek Jacobi, Jeremy Irons and Hove actress Sheila Mathews, is given a named child and encouraged to form a personal friendship.

Deryk said: "It's so important to get to know the child. It means so much to them to have a link with the outside world."

To find out more about supporting a child, call Deryk on 01273 770677 or write to him at 1 Namrick Mews, St Aubyns, Hove.