Last summer, Covi joined me on an MTV Staying Alive trip to visit some of our projects in Malawi and Kenya. While we were there, he gave a (correct!) condom demonstration to a group of 40 young people (see embarrassing photo above), he was our official photographer, and helped write the team blog (https://africawithmtv.wordpress.com). We met some incredible people along the way, and saw first-hand the work that they're doing within their communities to tackle HIV, all, too often in an environment of stigma and discrimination. One night, we took part in a 'moonlight testing' session where 42 people were tested for HIV (mostly young gay men, in a country where it's illegal to be gay). 36% of them tested positive. When we left the project, Covi asked me what he could do to help the work that MTV Staying Alive does, as he was so struck by the large numbers that tested +ve that night. And so here we are... Covi is running his very first 1/2 marathon (and he's been training hard, whatever the weather!); I am team cheer-leader and his fundraising manager - it's the least I could do!

Covi is doing this because he had the chance to see the work that MTV Staying Alive supports first-hand. So I'm asking you to trust Covi that he absolutely wouldn't be out running 8.5 miles in the pouring rain like he did last night, if he really didn't think it was worth it! Please give generously and know that the money raised by Covi will be well invested by MTV Staying Alive Foundation http://www.mtvstayingalive.org.