Mr Morandi's British Citizenship
Matteo Morandi is many things: a teacher, a fundraiser, a union rep, a father, an incredible table tennis player, and an all round great guy. Unfortunately, one of the things he isn't is a British citizen.
Matteo is Italian and has lived in Britain for over 22 years, and I recently discovered he cannot vote because he isn't a British citizen. This is because he cannot afford the costs of naturalisation. He can pass the exams, he is of good character, he has lived here long enough, it is just too expensive.
Matteo is a teacher, where he has put his heart and soul into his work educating children of all ages. He teaches Maths, and Psychology, and ran the Duke of Edinburgh scheme. He is also a housemaster for day students, and gives his utmost to ensure they have somebody to talk to and fight for them. He is also the NEU union rep in the college.
Matteo is also a father and a step-father, and gives up his free time to ensure his children can enjoy theirs. He has participated in various activities for charity, including the completion of the 5 peak challenge, and the 24 peak challenge, raising in excess of £1000 for charities.
The funds raised will be used to pay for his application for naturalisation, and any extra funds will cover costs such as ceremony costs, travel costs, and (hopefully) to buy a celebratory bottle of something when he becomes the citizen he deserves to be!
I cannot express how wonderful Matteo is, and this will be the icing on the cake for a man who has given his all for other people, while never requesting anything in return. I don't have contact with my family, but Matteo has been a father to me since I met him - even to the extent I call him my surrogate Italian father. He has looked after me, cared for me, and been an amazing influence all out of the kindness of his own heart.
