THE family of a senior member of Brunner Mond's executive management team, who died in Kenya, is to set up an educational trust for African children in his memory.

Dr Brian Patterson, who was project director for the company's major new investment at Magadi Soda in Kenya, was killed in a road accident on Sunday, August 24.

Brian spent his entire career with Brunner Mond and was a hugely respected figure in the industry.

Earlier in his career between 1984 and 1987 he lived in Kenya with his wife Val and two children Mark and Carl who were aged around seven and four at the time.

The family lived alongside the Kenyans and the youngsters went to the school, which was run by Brunner Mond.

The plant at Magadi was by a lake and Brunner Mond also ran the hospital, housing and provided facilities for the members of the public.

Brian was involved in all this and privately sponsored Kenyan youngsters to get an education.

There are many groups living a traditional lifestyle such as the Masai tribe.

Brightest

The brightest youngsters are picked to look after cattle and sheep, as this is where the tribe makes its money.

Getting an education helps these youngsters to obtain a better lifestyle.

Mark, Dr Patterson's son, said: "Education can make all the difference to a young Kenyan.

"We are very conscious of what education can do and that is why we want to set up this fund.

"I have lived there and I have seen these children. I have played with them and I am very keen to carry on what my father was doing."

The fund is to be called the Brian Patterson Educational Trust.

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk