One of our Little A’s travelling to Uganda in November for the Love Mercy trip is 15-year-old Riley Whatman.

Riley joined Little Athletics when he was a five-year-old in Canowindra – for the past six years, he has been a star member of the Orange LAC.

Despite recent success at school carnivals, Riley admits he isn’t overly fond of field events, preferring middle-distance running – he regularly participates in fun runs at Canberra and Orange.

Riley has never been to Africa, but holidays with the family to Pacific nations gave Riley a greater awareness of the poverty that exists in developing nations.

“Having been to countries like Fiji and being up in the villages; seeing the traditional methods and what really goes on in the country,” said Whatman.

“I’m looking forward to learning different things about the culture; how they live and what actually happens.”

To raise funds for Love Mercy, Riley plans to organise sponsorships and raffles within the local community – he also wants to host a fundraising BBQ with mates from his school.

“I was also thinking a BBQ in our town – there’s only 250 people in our town, so we can try and get as many people as possible down there,” said Whatman.

You can help Riley reach his goal of $2,000 by donating to his Love Mercy profile.

If you’re interested in joining Riley and Australian Olympian Youcef Abdi on the trip-of-a-lifetime, CLICK HERE.