In 2006 I visited Siem Reap in Cambodia and witnessed some extreme poverty. This was a bit of an eye-opener, but most upsetting was seeing so many children living on the streets, either being forced to beg or work for money. Babies were used to curry sympathy from tourists to buy powdered milk which was very expensive and was seldom used for its rightful purpose, instead being exchanged back to money to give to some horrible Fagin-like character.

I felt pretty useless and I soon realised giving money was not really being helpful, so I started feeding them instead. This became a regular thing, word spread I guess and whenever I left my bungalow I had swarms of kids wanting to play and get fed by the tall, bald white dude who gave pretty awsome shoulder rides.

I realised this was a dark world they were living in when one day one of the kids, about 7 years old stabbed another one with the fork because he was so hungry and wanted to eat all the rice. I was told by the other kids that some of the children were 'bad' because they were sniffing glue. It was a horrible situation and I am ashamed to say I I eventually left Siem Reap with a heavy heart, wishing I could have done more.

As you can see in the before/after photos above and below, in 2010, I went back to see if I could find some of the kids I had made friends with and see I could help them, which is when I discovered someone already had. An amazing Australian woman named Tania, succeeded where I failed and started the Green Gecko Project which provides love, shelter, security and education for these children. There are countless inspiring success stories on their Facebook page which I would encourage you to look at demostrating that the difference that shelter, education, support and love can make. Check out @greengeckoproject

Please give generously or just a small amount as I will be running the Royal Parks Half Marathon in support of this fantastic organisation and those wonderful children.