On Sunday 9th September, I will be doing my annual sponsored walk around the border of the constituency - a total of around 18 miles.

Usually I do the walk with a small group of friends and family to keep me company but this year I will be joined by about 50 young people from Project Change, the group I set up in the wake of the riots to try to change our town for the better and in the process change perceptions of our young people.

We’re raising money for four local charities:

A. Nightwatch - a charity that supports people sleeping rough on the streets of Croydon and others in acute housing need;

B. Mind in Croydon - a local charity supporting people with mental health conditions;

C. Age UK Croydon - a local charity supporting elderly people in the borough; and

D. Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation - who help build young people’s confidence by training them in acting, singing, dancing, writing and behind-the-scenes theatre work.

We held a Dragons Den-style evening to allow the young people to choose which of the charities they would like to raise money for but I am raising money for all four. If you’d like to sponsor me, you can do so by clicking on the link for the charity of your choice or sending a cheque made payable to either Nightwatch, Mind in Croydon, Age UK Croydon or Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation to 133 Wickham Road, Croydon CR0 8TE.

And if you are passionate about one of these charities and would like to join us for all or part of the walk, get in touch with me using gavin.barwell.mp@parliament.uk for more information!