A COUPLE who have taken in 40 seriously ill children from abroad in the last 20 years are being recognised by the Pitshanger Lane-based charity, Bridge Of Hope.

The charity is hosting a lunch for Michael Davenport, 74, and Katie Campbell, 57, who have also paid for six other youngsters in the developing world to go to school.

Michael, a former Treasury economist, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease three years ago but continues to support children who are in need.

He said: “When we were first asked if we’d be able to give room in our home to a child flying to Britain for life-saving surgery, we didn’t hesitate to say ‘yes’.”

Author and academic Katie was originally motivated by her daughter.

She said: “Initially, I wasn’t moved by any particular altruism. I felt my daughter Jess, who was seven at the time, had a very privileged life and I wanted her to understand that wasn’t the way most people in the world lived.”

One of their most memorable guests was a Kenyan mother called Grace, whose daughter Gracia needed life-saving heart surgery.

They became close during their three months together and Katie soon discovered that Grace was in an abusive relationship back home.

Katie said: “She said: ‘what would I do if I left’? She confessed she’d always dreamed of having a sewing business.”

Through Bridge Of Hope, she was able to send two sewing machines to Kenya, where Grace has since started her dream business.

Bridge of Hope was founded in 2012. To donate, go to www.bridge-hope.org