I am running the London marathon and, beyond reasons of general masochism and perhaps a dose of insanity, my aim is to raise funds for TASK Brasil, a UK registered charity established in 1992 to improve the lives of children and pregnant teenage girls living on the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

In 1997 Jimmy Page, the Led Zeppelin rock guitarist, donated money to Task Brasil to buy a plot of land in Santa Tereza in Rio de Janeiro on which ‘Casa Jimmy’ was built to provide a safe and happy home for a lucky few of the abandoned children. I visited Casa Jimmy on my first trip to Brasil as I have a good friend who used to work there (through him I know that Task Brasil it is a good, efficient outfit). To find out more about their work, please visit: www.taskbrasil.org.uk

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Abandoned Street Kids of Brazil Trust - Task Brasil will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Feel free to give whatever you can. Many thanks for your support.

Matt