The idea for the Kay Mason Foundation - named after my sister Kay, who died when I was a child - grew out of the entirely unexpected success of The Drowning People, a novel I published in 1999 at the age of 19. For the first time in my life I had a disposable income and I turned my mind to thinking what best to do with it.

I have always believed passionately in education and in the urgent need for a multi-racial, educated middle class in South Africa, the country of my birth. With the divisions of the Apartheid era only too apparent in the nation’s fabric today, I thought that I might be able to build a bridge, however small, between the country’s first and third world communities. It seemed sensible to make the most of what South Africa already has and to give people not merely aid, but empowerment.

In 1999, I privately sponsored the high school education of Siyamthemba Kakaza, Sifiso Mazibuko, Cleopatra Eland and Nadine Moodie. These first KMF Scholars have done exceptionally well: three of them became School Prefects; one was Head of Day Girls; and they have all now left school and are on their way to University.

Inspired by their achievements, I decided to set up the Kay Mason Foundation to allow others to taste the joy I had experienced in helping such exceptional children. Under the committed patronage of Nobel Peace laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Foundation has thrived – and we now support 60 incredible kids at nine of South Africa’s best schools.

In my experience, most people would like to think of themselves as giving something back to the world, but are uncertain as to how best to go about it. I have set up the Kay Mason Foundation to provide a practical, transparent structure for focused giving. And because royalties from my books cover the organisation’s operating costs, 100% OF EVERYTHING YOU GIVE GOES STRAIGHT TO THE KIDS WHO NEED IT.

Richard Mason,

Glasgow