Clients across the country added their backing to the £400 donation made by Aim 4 Africa and a South Yorkshire businessman is in discussions about donating several thousand pounds to the warriors.

So far the warriors, who ran in sandals made from old car tyres, have raised almost £115,000 to bring clean drinking water to their village in Tanzania.

Nancy Cutinha, from Aim 4 Africa, said: “I was born in Tanzania and I now run a company here in the UK which offers holidays to Tanzania. We are very much involved in development projects in Tanzania and other East African countries and if we can support and raise awareness of causes such as these then we will do so.

“It was great to see, not only my clients supporting the cause but as a result of local publicity we saw people from across Yorkshire support the project.”

Paul Martin, from Greenforce, the international aid agency which has been working with the Maasai on the drinking water project, said: “We are elated that the Maasai were so successful. Now the hard work begins. We are working hard to deal with various experts and suppliers to arrange the necessary drilling and construction works to ensure this becomes a reality.

“We would like to thank Aim 4 Africa and everyone else who sponsored the Maasai.”

lDonations can still be made for the project. Contact Aim 4 Africa on 0845 408 4541 or visit www.maasaimarathon.org