Youth with a Mission is an evangelical interdenominational, non-profit Christian, missionary organisation which offers a 5-month sports and fitness discipleship training school. The course is a full-time program and lasts five or six months. It consists of two parts: lecture phase and outreach phase. In the lecture phase, I will learn more about God and His world. I will learn not only from lectures but also from community living and practical training. The outreach phase focuses on applying what you learned in the classroom through an intense, cross-cultural experience.

I am 19 years old and have just completed my first year at the University of Derby where I am studying Sport and Exercise Science (Bsc). I am passionate to see youth motivated to participate in sport rather than spending hours playing on computers or social media. Not only is there a physical benefit to participating in sports but it also enables participants to develop the person that they are by increasing self-esteem, team building skills and leadership qualities to name but a few. During my time in Virginia I am hoping to gain skills and knowledge which will enable me to reach out to the young people in our community and get them moving.

I will have the opportunity to visit Tokyo and the Philippines volunteering with children and young people in established sporting activities. My hope is that upon my return I will be a useful asset to both my local church and our community.

I really need your help to raise the funds needed to enable me to go through with this exciting gap year.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Todd