THE THOUGHT of leaving London behind and starting a family in war-torn Syria is hard to comprehend for most onlookers.

But for Tauqir ‘Tox’ Sharif leaving Walthamstow five years ago to risk his life saving people caught up in a civil war which has ravaged its country, was a “natural” choice.

The 30-year-old Muslim, who left George Monoux College in 2005, had enough of “watching the bloodshed” on his television and packed his bags for Syria in 2012.

Based around Idlib in north-western Syria, Tox drives camouflaged ambulances delivering aid to the frontline after horrific chemical attacks.

Tox spent today racing to Khan Sheikhoun, about 50km south of Idlib, after at least 58 people were killed and dozens wounded in a suspected chemical attack on the rebel-held town.

Away from his daily struggle helping people, Tox married Racquell, a fellow aid worker from south London, and became father to four children all born in Syria.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Live Updates from Syria

Against the constant threat from ISIS fighters and the Syrian regime, Tox runs Live Updates from Syria across several social media platforms.

His work sharing videos and updates from besieged towns and refugee camps has attracted many enemies among the battling Syrian factions.

He said: “We had an IED bomb put in one of our youth projects but thankfully no one was injured.

“No place is safe in Syria.”

The father-of-four said he will never silence his views, widely condemning ISIS for beheading British aid worker Alan Henning.

Tox added: “I got lots of death threats after that, many have tried to kill me but that’s life.

“You have to speak the truth if it’s for you or against you.”

Tox said he fears for his young family living in constant danger but he does not see his children differently to those in Syria.

He said: “If Syrian children have to live under these bombs then we can’t all make excuses and say our children will get hurt or we might get hurt.

“Death is written wherever you are. Danger is relative and our faith keeps us strong, helping these people until this crisis is over.”

Despite his faith, witnessing some of the atrocities carried out by Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime has been “difficult to stomach”.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

New life in war-torn Syria

He said: “I’ve been shown videos of a guy being buried alive as they asked him to say there was no God but Bashar.

“No one should see eyes and limbs littering floors after barrel bomb attacks.

“These people are so sick doing this to their civilian population.”

But at the same time, he has witnessed a lot of “goodness” in the face of adversity.

He said: “The people are very resolute and very welcoming after everything that happens, they still host you.

“Some of these people are real heroes. The doctors out here are risking their lives, helping their people.

“Despite everything that is going they are still trying to fight for their freedom.”

With a degree of sadness, Tox’s thoughts for home reveal a man who misses much of the east London borough he left behind.

He said: “I love Walthamstow. It is my home. I miss its diversity, meeting people from all over the world.

“I miss Hoe Street, the market, the cafes, restaurants and playing football at Low Hall Sports Ground.

“I don’t miss the traffic though.”