Once again, I'm fundraising for Southend YMCA & The Essex Boys & Girls Club by taking part in The Essex Jailbreak. Our team, the Southend Prisoners, has 15 hours to get as far away from Chelmsford Prison, without spending any money. In 2013, we reached the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, but our plans for 2014 plan to take us even further than before.

Southend YMCA works with some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in the South East of Essex, including those that are homeless, are the victims of neglect and abuse, suffer from mental health issues, or are long term unemployed. The work they do is invaluable, and they reach out to over 2,000 individuals every year. However,  4,000 young people live in poverty in Southend alone. Help is needed on our doorstep, and poverty a reality for many people in our town.