British Millionaire Swaps Life of Luxury for Charity Work

Wealthy businessman Jon Pedley is giving up everything he owns to start a children's charity in Uganda — swapping his 16th century farmhouse in Essex, England for an African mud hut.

After nearly dying in a car crash while drinking 8 years ago, the former convict and alcoholic decided to turn his life around, reports Britain's Daily Mail. Waking up in a hospital after being in a coma for six weeks, Pedley experienced an epiphany and decided to change his life for the better. He gave up alcohol and became a Christian.

Now, the 41-year-old divorcee is selling his luxurious $1.5 million home and his successful telecommunications businesses to set up Uganda Vision, a charity to help troubled British children by sending them to Uganda to support local orphans. "I've lived an incredibly selfish existence," admitted Pedley, adding "I've been convicted of crime, slept rough [slept on the street], been an alcoholic, had affairs, and damaged people's lives including my own. I've always put the pursuit of money in front of everything else."

After being inspired by a friend's work in the poverty stricken country of Uganda, he can't wait to follow suit, ditching his comfortable existence for something more meaningful. "I'm leaving that behind to start a new life," he said, adding: "I've never been more sure about anything in my life."

Photo by tinali778 via Flickr.