I know a 12 year old boy. Let’s call him Ali. He used to hang out on the street outside Ansar Youth Project’s office in Harrow Weald, acting all tough, with some boys who looked at least 7 or 8 years older than him. They were local dealers, and he used to peddle drugs for them in exchange for favours.

Ali’s father  is dead. He lives with his mum, who can’t speak English, and his older brother is never around. His cousin who he still looks up to, is in prison for GBH. He knows enough about drugs to convince you, he’s seen the real thing.

Since I’ve got to know him, he’s been coming to Ansar Youth Project’s Saturday Youth Club. The last time I met him at Youth Club, he arrived an hour early and told me that AYP was “the best time of the week”.

It’s been over two years now since I became a Youth Worker for Ansar Youth Project. Stories like his keep me coming back every week. I can’t tell you this kid won’t grow up to be a drug addict. Or he won’t mug your aunty in the street. But I know, as a Youth Worker, I might be the only one in his life who can stop him.

The Youth Club opens again at the end of Summer, and we’re desperately short of cash. In a last ditch attempt I’m hoping to climb Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK to raise sponsorship for Ansar Youth Project.

Please support me, and the youth which the community has let down.