On the 28th April Iain, Chris and I will be running the London Marathon to raise money for the Avenues Youth Project.

I've been working with the Avenues Youth project for the last three years and together with the Willmott Dixon Foundation we have assisted in the refurbishment of some of their facilities in support of a local community project.  Having experienced first hand some of the incredible work they do, running the marathon for them gives me the opportunity to raise desperately needed funds to keep the centre going.

The Avenues Youth Project helps children 8-18 years to stay off the streets and acquire the necessary skills to lead positive and fulfilling lives.  For 40 years the charity has delivered fun and creative after-school activities and holiday programmes open to all.  It also reserves closed workshops for vulnerable and/or challenging young people. 

Despite suffering some of the worst levels of child poverty in the country the local authority stopped funding youth work altogether in 2017, so many of the Avenues Youth Project’s services are now under threat.  

 The funds raised from the London Marathon will go towards sustaining the Saturday Homework Club for 2019

The charity aims to help children grow in confidence, learn to respect themselves and others and discover that they can play a useful part in society and that their contribution is valued.  Their success is measured in the number of alumni who have gone on to make a successful career in the world of sport, fashion, food, music and much more.  It is also noticeable in the number of those who return as personable, self-reliant, and aspiring young adults keen to volunteer the skills they learned at Avenues Youth Project to help the next generation of young people

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