I’ve never lived or worked in Afghanistan, but I have worked alongside Afghans and have many friends who have worked in Afghanistan too, all of whom speak with such warmth and affection about the country and its people.

I have, however, lived or worked in plenty of other places (Uganda, Eritrea, Burundi, DR Congo, Sudan and Russia) whose peoples have been battered by conflict and egregious human rights abuses. 

I now live and work in Wales in the UK, a safe country where women and girls can pursue their education without fear for their lives. Yes there are many other challenges here, but not that most basic one.

After turning 50 earlier this year and having recovered from Covid in Sept 2020, I needed a running goal to keep me going, during another year of uncertainty.

So I’m running the Virtual London Marathon on my own, from Merthyr to Cardiff, on Sun 3 Oct. 

Because I am lucky enough to be free to run where and when I like.  

I will miss the crowds and a running buddy but will have a support team of family and friends. It will be tough but it pales into total insignificance with what families in Afghanistan have to face now. The least I can do is raise money for the British Red Cross who work both on the ground in Afghanistan and in the UK making sure that #RefugeesWelcome is what people arriving here feel.

Please give generously. We have much to be grateful for. And much we take for granted that women and girls in Afghanistan just can’t anymore. 

Each of us must do what we can. Wherever we are.

Afghanistan is in crisis. Millions of people are suffering from the legacy of decades of conflict, severe food shortages and hunger - compounded by years of extreme drought. The dry ground has led to flash flooding this year, destroying livelihoods and forcing more people to leave their homes amid the ever-present threat of Covid-19. 

The British Red Cross have been working on the ground for 30 years and will not stop now. In a spirit of neutrality, independence and impartiality, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement works with all communities and in all regions to help reach and assist those most vulnerable. 

Please give generously.   Your gift could mean food, basic medical supplies and medicines, shelter and water.

Thank you.