We visited Serbian Forrest Gump: My family abandoned me, but I have forgiven them. I just want to run!

His life persistently turns its back on him, he runs. The family lets him down, he runs. Feels the life in prison, runs. Whether sleeping in cold or warm, hungry or thirsty, he still runs ... This is Serbian Forrest Gump. Marathon runner Lazar Risar from Sombor, whose life destiny arrogantly played with .... But, in spite of life's blows, he does not give up ... He is writing a lesson of life from which we can all learn.

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In the face of this young man, who will be 22 on Christmas Eve, the smile is missing. Adversity has not stolen a sense of humor, and despite the uncertainty that would make everyone scared, but not him, his heart was still healthy and whole. He can forgive what most in this world not even take into consideration.

Telegraf and Telegraf NOW team found him at Gakovački put in Sombor. In a yard in this street, at number 15 – a hovel. Outside, three or four degrees above and in Lazar’s hut around zero.

- I live here. Alone. I am a tenant - Lazar begins the story.

A wood-burning stove that is not burning stands out. Instead of heating two rooms, it is covered with Lazar’s numerous medals and diplomas. Even if he wants to burn it, he has no wood. As there is no bathroom.

- I pay 2,000 dinars for this from the money people send me, or that I make. I worked at a gas station, but I lost my job. I would not talk about that. Now I wage, dig, helppeople ... I do not choose a job and I would do anything. You see, I have no wood. I have those two rooms and a kitchen, but no bathroom - as he speaks, the eyes of this fighter all the time are fixed on the medals.

Foto: Milena Đorđević

Help, which keeps coming to him, since two days ago, Serbia again spun the story about him, he is not interested in. He does not know what is in the bags, packs, which covered his bed.

- I've got this. Apart from Sombor and the rest of Serbia, the help arrives from Germany, Italy ... There is food, clothes, footwear ...

Evoking memories of the day when he literally for the first time "entered" the sneakers, and that made him run, Lazar, who was 17 years old when he ran his first half marathon of 21 kilometers, proudly shows us the medals and diplomas. His favorite is from Verona, which he won in 2004.

Foto: Milena Đorđević

- I went one day to the Church of St. George. Here. In Sombor. They were sharing sneakers. I asked for what they are. They said to run. That way I went, too. I run the marathons and half marathons when they call me. But every morning I get up at five and run to Apatin, Sombor ... come home, get some rest, eat, and if I'm not working, I'm running again. I train twice a day - says this young man.

He bathes at his neighbors’, does the laundry also with them, eats in the church. The family betrayed him, but he also does not want them. He does not renounce them, but forgives.

Foto: Milena Đorđević

- So early on I got in my life, but I'm struggling. I do not quit. God gave me the strength, to fight, to run. Every year I go to Ostrog, and before an icon of Basil of Ostrog and the Holy Mother of God every day I pray. My family lives on the other side of town. There my father was with my stepmother and brothers and sisters. There are 11 of us. My mother died when I was a baby. They do not have to help me. We do not have social security. I'm helping them, in spite of everything. When I turn around and I realize that I am alone, I immediately throw that away as a sad story. But never mind. God sees all that, it is very difficult because of all that has happened, but they are mine as they are - he says.

Foto: Milena Đorđević

His birthday is coming. The wishes of the young man, who is constantly fighting for his existence, are not like of most of his peers. They are real and achievable – he wants his home, to finish high school and to start to deal with athletics professionally. But also to meet Novak Djokovic.

- I would be very happy if I had a house or a flat. In that house I would continue living alone. I would continue my way. I would know immediately where to place all these medals and diplomas. I would hang them in a place that belongs to them. I would also like to finish high school. I was not financially able. My wish is to professionally deal with athletics. To become a member of a club and to be taught - says our host at the end.

Foto: Milena Đorđević

Anyone wanting to help Lazar Risar may do so by sending humanitarian aid to address Gakovački put no. 15, 25000 Sombor where his current address is. He can also be helped by paying money to accounts in Erste Bank:

- Dinar: 340-3229031766

- Foreign currency: 340-7648818530

Do you know anyone with this fate? Tell us in the comments, so that together we could help those people.

(Telegraf.co.uk / Ljubinka Račić)