Are you sitting comfortably? That’s great, but unfortunately many others aren’t. One of the things I love the most about going to Arsenal is meeting fellow Gooners, hearing their stories, finding out why they too are passionate about Arsenal, and forming new friendships. At the end of last season I met Paul and Jane Smith, since when we have become good friends.

Paul is an amazing guy (and Jane a very supportive wife!), last year raising £20,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital by completing 51 laps of the stadium in his wheelchair (20 miles). This season his “Challenge 100” is to raise funds for Centrepoint by travelling from Portsmouth’s Fratton Park Stadium to the Grove over four consecutive days. It’s a massive distance of 101.4 miles for someone in a wheelchair.

Paul has recently been approached by a very kind person, wishing to remain anonymous, who has said that if he is able to raise the first £20,000 they will match this with a further £20,000! This offer is completely genuine but the proviso is all or nothing to receive their donation. Below is Paul’s story in his own words, I hope that once you have read this you will understand how committed Paul is to the cause.

“Since becoming severely disabled in 1991 as the result of a motor vehicle accident, I have had to re-evaluate my life. At that time, as a Leading Seaman Specialist in the Royal Navy, I was incredibly fit and led an active, full and privileged life, serving in both the Falklands and the first Gulf campaign, as well as competing in the Royal Naval Field Gun Crew. The road to recovery remains long and difficult. Whilst I am mainly confined to a wheelchair and still suffer significant pain as a result of permanent brain damage and numerous physical disabilities, I find it helps greatly to concentrate a large proportion of my time in helping others, who I feel are less fortunate than myself. As such, over the past three years, I have helped raise in excess of £1,380,000 for local disabled children, the Teenage Cancer Trust, the Kiya survivors in Peru and, most recently, Great Ormond Street Children’s Charity, when I raised £20,000 by undertaking 51 wheelchair laps (20 miles) of the Emirates Stadium.

Despite my own difficulties, I have always had the love and support of family and friends. I have always had a roof over my head and homelessness is something I have never had to consider. As such, my next challenge will benefit Centrepoint, the UK charity with a mission to end youth homelessness. Whether they have run away from neglect or abuse to sleep rough, or been thrown out at 16 to fend for themselves, young people are vulnerable on the streets and need help. As well as providing safe accommodation, Centrepoint also gives youngsters the opportunity to change their lives by building a more fulfilling future through counselling, education and training.

Whilst this challenge will leave me in significant pain and physical exhaustion for weeks, the difference I will be able to make in the life of others will more than compensate. I truly hope that you feel this is a worthy cause for your support. By supporting me, you will be supporting Centrepoint and giving a young person in the UK a better chance in the future, which they may not otherwise get.”

Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and you can follows Paul’s progress by reading his tweets here (ok so there are no pictures of RVP’s dinner, Jack playing pool or Theo asleep but it’s still well worth a look!). Paul’s Just Giving page can be found here and I hope you are able to help him achieve his target by making a donation.

Paul can also be found collecting in the Lower Concourse by Turnstile A after every home match. You may have spotted Paul on the pitch with Matt Lucas and TV5 (sadly his only appearance this year) at the Wolves match, and keep a look out for him completing a lap of honour at halftime at the Liverpool match on the 17th April - what better reason to stay in your seat!