Under the Refugee Convention a refugee is someone who has fled their country due to a “well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion” and an 'asylum seeker' is someone who is seeking formal 'refugee' status in another country. In other words, like you and me but fleeing terror, not because of what they've done but because of where they were born and who they are. 

I used to take all of my many freedoms completely for granted but helping asylum seekers and refugees here in Derby, via Upbeat Communities and my church (St Werburgh's), has opened my eyes to their incredible pain and suffering, resilience and determination, gratitude and desire to make a difference themselves. People escaping their county of birth for no reason of their own making, most recently seen as those fleeing their homes in Ukraine.

Upbeat Communities is not a new response to this global need, they've been doing it for 16 years, partnering with other local charities too. Look on their website below for just some of the things they did last year to help these amazing people.  Please help this charity continue to make a massive difference to those in need, here in Derby.

Thank you for your support. 

In case you're wondering, I've never cycled this far, roughly the same distance as from Derby to Bristol, and this high, more than The UK National 3 Peaks challenge, all in one day before, but at least I'll be able to sit down for most of it (😆). I'm sure that your support will help me to keep my pedals turning until I reach the end. I have cycled a Coast to Coast route before, but that was about 20 years ago, over three days as part of a group and when I was in my mid-thirties; so, not quite the same as on Saturday 2nd July 2022 when I plan to attempt this journey solo, supported by two friends in a van, just in case. 

Please help to make it count. 😎

https://www.upbeatcommunities.org/

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