Macer Gifford is a former finance worker in the City who left his job to spend six months fighting Islamic State with Syrian Kurdish forces the YPG.

When people ask why I joined the fight against the so-called Islamic State in Syria, I usually respond by saying it is a defining moment for my generation.

Like Orwell's response when asked why he travelled to fight in the Spanish Civil War, I believe I am fighting against fascism and for common decency

I am 28 and was happily working in the City, doing foreign exchange trading for a brokerage firm until the brutal and sudden rise of ISIS changed everything for me.

The terrible response to the crisis by the British government, their lack of strategy to destroy the militants and bring lasting peace to Syria was incredibly upsetting to watch unfold.

I wanted David Cameron to be the Prime Minister the country needs and to show the world the real Britain that I believe it to be - one of democracy, internationalism, humanism and equality.

Britain has had a rough deal over the past ten years - what kind of country do we want to be seen as? One of conquerors or do we want to be seen as a force for good in the world?

The answer to the crisis in the Middle East already exists and it is in Syria now: we need to support the democratic elements of the FSA (Free Syrian Army) and the YPG (People's Protection Unit).

I flew into Iraq and then travelled into Syria in the middle of the night in December 2014. I was nervous, but determined to do the right thing.

I don't believe the UK has to put British troops on the ground. I believe we have to supply political support and military assistance to the people who are already fighting heroically against the so-called Islamic State.

The Syrian Kurds believe in secular democracy, equality and justice. These are the allies that we want to have in the Middle East. They have done much to liberate themselves, and now we have to help them be an inspiration to the rest of Syria.

Since I have been back from Syria I have travelled to the US to lobby the US government, I have been to Westminster to lobby parliament, I have written numerous articles, spoken at universities and raised thousands of pounds in medical supplies.

Fighting with the Syrian Kurds is one of the least important things I do with them. It is not just about fighting, it is also about giving the Syrian Kurds a voice in Britain.

They are fighting our war for us, and it is about time we stood beside them.

I will be delivering aid to the front line when I return to Syria in the coming weeks. I am feeling as nervous as I did when I first went out in December 2014, but I am as determined.

I believe that some things are worth fighting for.

Macer Gifford is a pseudonym. This article is a personal blog and does not necessarily reflect the views of ITV News.