Blog by Kirsty White, trust and supporters officer at Scottish Refugee Council
Wow! We’ve smashed the 665km target in our #RunforRefugees challenge. Runners, including volunteers, staff and supporters, have raised more than £2740 for Scottish Refugee Council in the process. Supporters Liffy, Susan and Eliza, and staff member Rasha, took us over the finish line on Sunday at the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon in Glasgow.
What was the #RunForRefugees challenge?
The challenge was to collectively run the 665km distance from Scottish Refugee Council’s office in Glasgow to Croydon, London.
In January this year we set ourselves the symbolic 665km target to raise funds for our services and highlight the shocking distance that people seeking sanctuary in Scotland must travel to begin their claim for asylum.
Our runners began training in the cold months at the start of the year. Watching the kilometres clock up made us realise just how far vulnerable people, who lack even the most basics: money, warm clothing, food or being able to speak English, are being made to travel.
A massive thank you!
A massive thank you to everyone who took part or supported #RunForRefugees. Every runner made a fantastic effort, taking to the parks, pavements, and treadmills to train for their chosen running event, from the Edinburgh Marathon Festival to Women’s 10K, One Big Weekend, Glasgow Park Runs, and of course, the Great Scottish Run Half Marathon.
Your dedication has been inspiring and we are delighted with the amount you have raised.
Many thanks also to runner and campaign volunteer Caitlin MacMillan for her enthusiasm and hard work in helping make the challenge happen, our Ultra Marathon runner Katy Smith for her tips and advice for new runners, and to volunteer John Lanigan travelling around the country to take fantastic photographs of our runners.
How your funds will help
There is no financial or practical support for people who arrive in Scotland and need to get to Croydon to claim asylum.
Your fundraising is vital in helping us deliver a service to assist newly arrived people who are often fleeing persecution. This service is not funded so we rely on your fundraising and donations to provide multilingual advice, information and practical assistance, helping prepare people for the long journey to Croydon. We couldn’t do it without you!
What next?
People are still clocking up the kilometres. Rasha and Susan are taking #RunForRefugees to the New York Marathon in November. We wish them good luck!
If you’d like to keep the momentum going and take on your own #RunForRefugees event (maybe we can make it back to Glasgow from Croydon?), or any other fundraising challenge, email funding@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk or call Kirsty White on 0141 223 7921 to find out more.
