Hello all - you may have heard that I'll be travelling to Jordan in March and trekking through the desert from the Dead Sea to the Lost City of Petra across four days along with a couple of legends and 100 Arsenal supporters. I can't deny that it's going to be one of the most unique and incredible experiences of my life but at the same time will also present a significant challenge. This is all in aid of raising money for The Arsenal Foundation and Save the Children's joint Coaching for Life programme. 

We are very lucky to live in a country which is the birthplace for many great world sports. It's part of our culture and from a young age it's part of our curriculums at school and we're encouraged to take part in sport by our teachers, our parents and our friends. Not only that but access to sport is relatively easy for most of us and we live in a country which isn't war torn or in conflict. It is well documented that regular sport and exercise is conducive to good mental wellbeing and affording kids less fortunate than ourselves this opportunity is at the heart of this challenge. 

The programme will aim to combine Save the Children's child protection expertise and Arsenal FC's, Arsenal in the Community sports development experience to reach thousands of children who have fled from conflict and violence over the next few years. The project is designed to give these kids courage and support to cope with the struggles they face day to day, as well as providing them with the skills to have a better future. Also, just so they can have some fun! The project is first touching down in Jordan and Indonesia and will then hopefully spread as far and wide as possible. 

Many of you won't be Arsenal supporters but club loyalties aside for a moment, this is about helping kids and their mental health through the power of sport. They don't have it as easy as we did, as we do. Any donation you can give would be well received and greatly appreciated. 

Thank you all. 

Nick