We are raising money in memory of the loss of a good friend and inspirational young man, Gianni Sonvico who passed away unexpectedly in late October 2013 at the age of just 23.

I first met Gianni as a participant of a youth group I helped run with his mother Karen. After really getting to know him after a conference  he participated in held in Zambia, I got to know him as a peer as well as in a professional capacity. He was one if the most intelligent inspiring people I have ever had the pleasure to know and work with. When I moved to London I saw Gianni when he was studying and he shone with nothing but potential in everyway. The impact of his death has rocked people who knew him. His life should be celebrated and comemorated. His closest friends have come together to organise the participation of the G-Team in tough mudder and I'm privileged to have been invited to join.

We have chosen The Arsenal Foundation as the charity to raise money for in his memory. The Arsenal Foundation focuses on work that motivates and inspires young people - often through education and sport - to help them reach their potential and become the best they can be.

Tough Mudder is a 12 mile obstacle course challenge designed to test your all-around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie which as a team, aptly named ‘The G Team’, we will complete. It is a challenge he often mentioned and I’m sure he would have taken it in his stride and for that reason alone we feel it is appropriate to be undertaking it in his memory.

Thank you