I have been leading on the Gullion Link youth exchange for 3 years and this year I want to go that extra (13.5) mile(s) to enable more young people to get involved and have a bigger impact in their community. My partner Stuart (who has lived in both Northern Ireland and London) felt so inspired by the work, he is also taking on the challenge and will be running alongside me!

I'm passionate about doing this because I’ve seen teenagers transform the way they think about and treat the “other” by getting to know peers from different cultures, religions and backgrounds.

This project smashes apart stereotypes and encourages integration by taking 15 young people from communities across East London to get to know 15 young people from across the community in Newry, Northern Ireland and then bringing them back to London. On this journey they learn to be curious, to listen, to manage conflict and to understand one another. They therefore return home as agents of change, young leaders inspired to take action themselves in their communities.

The project has been kindly supported by 4 London Livery Companies to do this work, as well as the Magnet Young Adult Centre in Newry. However, I really want to add to the capacity of what they have already enabled us to do and to create extra opportunities for young people.

 By sponsoring me you will be:

a)      Contributing to making a real difference in East London and Newry for, and through, these brilliant young people

b)      Helping to raising awareness of our work in combating racism, sectarianism and prejudice

c)      giving me and my running partner Stuart the strength to make it through the pain and the hilly Northern Irish countryside!

To read a first hand account of the effect this work has, please visit our blog and read Jordan's Story

 Thank you