tl;dr:

running, a lot, good cause. send money. Love.

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On Thursday 20th May I’ll be following in the footsteps of Pheidippides, the ancient Athenian herald who announced the Greeks’ victory over the Persians, by running the mountainous 42km stretch from Marathonas to Athens. Upon completion of his run Pheidippides died on the spot. This part I hope not to repeat. 

What could possess me to do this? You may well ask. 

I haven’t asked anyone to sponsor me in a charity drive since the year 6 summer readathon. Even then, I only read three books, so, sponsors, I can’t have shaken you down for that much cash. Which is all to say, I reckon I’ve got credit as far as these things go. So dig deep.

I’ll be running to raise money for Chamomile, a grassroots project that provides housing and psychosocial support to displaced people facing mental health difficulties here in Athens. 

It’s an incredibly important project, as the housing programs provided by UNHCR and the Greek state are both precarious and one-size-fits-all, so many of the Chamomile residents have found themselves excluded. 

Instead of simply offering short-term shelter, Chamomile gives residents the space and stability necessary for building long-term autonomy and psychological wellness. Participants are housed in independent apartments in neighbourhoods they have selected themselves, and receive weekly psychosocial support meetings to help them plan for living independently in Greece. 

Chamomile seeks to lay a foundation from which the participants will continue to benefit long after they have left the programme.

In order to keep supporting its residents and to pay for the rent and bills of its apartments Chamomile needs your hard-earned silver. Please donate to Chamomile by clicking 'Give Now' above! 

I’ll be running alongside friends of Chamomile and Mazi, another grassroots housing project in Athens, and, as an added incentive for you to give generously, we will be live-streaming our marathon attempt for your twisted enjoyment. 

For more information about Chamomile you can click through to the main fundraising page.

Thanks for your support!!