Prebena, one of the world's leading nail product manufacturers has offered a two years' funding support for the project, with the expectation that a figure in the region of 100,000 will be generated for the charity, which constructs block-built housing for residents of some of South Africa's poorest townships.

The Niall Mellon Township Challenge was established in 2002 by Irishman Niall Mellon.

Irish volunteers raise substantial funds before coming to Cape Town and embarking on a week-long building project. Since 2003, some 1,200 Irish volunteers have taken part in the challenge and 450 brick homes have been built so far. Commenting on the sponsorship initiative, Hugh Brennan, chief executive of the Niall Mellon Township Challenge said: "The support of Prebena is a significant step forward for the Township Challenge and in real terms should mean 20 quality block homes over the next two years for people living in some of South Africa's poorest townships."

Prebena, which is distributed in Ireland by John Murphy (Castlerea) Ltd, has agreed to donate a percentage of the sale of all Prebena products in Ireland to the charity ( 1 per unit sold). As part of the agreement, Prebena will also donate 10,000 worth of building materials, and will fund a service technician for the project.

Details on how to volunteer to take part in the Niall Mellon Township Challenge can be found on the website