When Kieran Henderson first heard about Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) from a friend, he didn’t know it would lead to a life-changing experience — not just for a young boy in Cambodia, but for himself, too.
Kieran, who splits his time between Scotland and England, decided in November 2024 to sponsor a child through CCF. It was a decision made from the heart, after hearing about the work being done on the ground and the impact it was having on children’s lives.
I felt that sponsoring a child would be the best way to provide long-term support
“I was very impressed with the work they were doing and I wanted to support this,” Kieran says. “I felt that sponsoring a child would be the best way to provide long-term support and to be actively involved in the process.”
Kieran is now the proud sponsor of Leap, a nine-year-old boy living in one of Phnom Penh’s most underprivileged communities. When he first started sponsoring, Leap was just seven.
“I’m conscious that it will take a little time to establish a strong bond,” Kieran says, “but he will find over time that I have only his best interests at heart, and I will encourage and support him, and be a reliable and caring sponsor.”
Kieran’s life is far from ordinary. A year ago, he left full-time employment to manage his self-catering property near Loch Lomond, Scotland, and help run his daughter’s boat event business, The Piano Boat, on the Grand Union Canal in London. The boat, once captained by his late son-in-law — a concert pianist — offers musical cruises and was recently featured on Channel 4’s Narrow Escapes.
Despite a busy life and a love for travel, which this year includes stops in India, Vietnam, and Romania, Kieran made time earlier this year to visit Cambodia and meet Leap face-to-face, just two months after signing up to sponsor.
I was very impressed with everything I saw and came away more enthused than ever that I had made the right decision
“It was a joy to meet Leap in person,” he says. “I was able to take him, his friend, and a chaperone to lunch and to the play park, which was a lot of fun. It helped to develop a bond.”
The visit also reinforced Kieran’s decision to sponsor rather than donate or fundraise, and that CCF was the right choice.
“I was very impressed with everything I saw and came away more enthused than ever that I had made the right decision.”
Monthly video calls with Leap, arranged by CCF’s sponsor relations team, are something Kieran looks forward to. They offer a chance to check in, share moments, and deepen the relationship beyond emails and updates.
It really feels as though you can have a transformative impact on a child’s life
For Kieran, sponsoring Leap is more than just financial support — it’s about showing up with care, consistency, and love.
“My relationship with Leap is still quite new but developing,” he shares. “It is a positive and supportive relationship where I am happy to acknowledge his successes and challenges. He will always be treated with respect and love, and he can rely on me completely.”
Being a sponsor, he says, is a “joy.”
“It really feels as though you can have a transformative impact on a child’s life and provide opportunities that they may otherwise not have had.”
Kieran was drawn to CCF not only by the impact stories but also by the integrity and transparency of the organization.
“Everything about CCF has impressed me: the friendliness of the organisation, the commitment of staff, the safeguarding procedures, and the care they show towards the children. And 88% of funds go directly to the program — that really stood out to me.”
I would highly recommend it [sponsoring].....It is a joy to see a child smiling and doing well at school
Kieran plans to return to Cambodia in January (2026) to see Leap again. In the meantime, he continues to support him from afar, sending emails and joining video calls to stay connected.
He also shares his sponsorship experience with his two adult children, who are “delighted” by his involvement. “I hope that, perhaps, they may wish to sponsor a child in the future,” he says.
And to anyone else thinking about sponsoring a child, Kieran has one clear message:
“I would highly recommend it. It can have such a transformative effect on a child’s life. It is a joy to see a child smiling and doing well at school, and to witness the amazing transformation that takes place from when they start at CCF to when they leave or graduate.”
