'Un'infanzia da vivere' is an organisation based in Parco Verde, Napoli. It was set up by Bruno Mazza in 2008. Italian speakers can read more about Bruno's story here:
https://m.facebook.com/AssociazioneDiVolontariatoUnInfanziaDaVivere/posts/401163916685212
In short, for those of you that don't speak Italian, after years of being involved in criminal activity in his local area and spending years behind bars, Bruno decided not only to turn his own life around, but to try to do all he could to ensure the youth of Parco Verde today steer clear of a life of drugs and crime.

It's easy for tourists to visit Southern Italy, the Amalfi coast and Etna, and only witness the beauty on the surface. Sadly, the economic inequality between the north and south is pretty horrific. Huge numbers of young people in the south are unemployed; it's almost impossible to find work there. Consequently many turn to crime and are easily exploited by systems of organised crime in the local area.

'Un'infanzia da vivere' is an association made up of over 300 children. So far they have cleaned up areas full of syringes, previously spots where drug-addicts would go, and turned them into football pitches, encouraging teamwork amongst the local children and giving them a safe space to play together. The association arranges urban allotments to promote green spaces. They are reliant on volunteers to share their talents in cooking, baking, sport and art with the local children.

So many children in this area of Italy give up believing in themselves from a young age, don't finish high school and take the wrong path in life. This shouldn't be the case. I am a strong believer that charity begins at home, so you'll understand why I selected this association to raise money for. Italy is possibly as much of or more of a home to me than the UK has ever been.

I'll be running the Marrakech half marathon marathon in January and am using this opportunity to raise awareness of a small but extremely worthwhile cause.