Dearest family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers! 

Thank you for visiting my London Marathon fundraising page. This year, on the weekend of my 33rd birthday, I am running 26.2 miles for Refuge to raise funds and awareness for survivors of domestic abuse.

Sarah's story:

Earlier this year, in June 2022, I was lucky enough to get Refuge's very last charity place to run in this year's October 2nd London Marathon!! Running the London marathon has been a lifelong dream, one that I thought was outside my own limits, until very recently. But being a Refuge runner and representing them in this way - is far more of a privilege than I could have dreamed of.

When I first started marathon training, the UK heatwave hadn't happened yet. Running and training seemed a little daunting, but mostly exciting as I began to plan routes, classes and workouts with friends and think about how I would integrate training in-between all my friends' weddings and various summer trips and family plans. As the miles slowly began to build up I began to reflect on my journey.

They say it takes a village to raise someone, and for me, there couldn't be more truth to this statement. I realised then, that my marathon journey didn't start in June 2022 when I received my place with Refuge, but a decade or more earlier as a series of life-changing events changed the course of my life. As I ran each run, memories and stories from over the years helped to push me further each day and each week. As I have trained on record breaking London heatwave days, hiked high altitudes in Ecuador, and more recently battled with the British September rain - my gratitude and appreciation to each and every person who has helped me edge closer to the Oct 2nd starting line grows with each run. My dearest family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers, it's no understatement to say that I wouldn't be able to think about undertaking a marathon without you all. You've raised me, you've cared for me, you've taught and trained me, you've trained for 10ks, a half and a tri with me, you've attended classes and run clubs with me, you've cheered me on, you've cooked for me, you've provided safe havens, you've fought battles both for me and with me, you've provided inspiration and so much support over the years. 

This year's London marathon falls on the weekend of my 33rd birthday, and to anyone who knows me will know I love a birthday celebration! Ever since I was born I've been celebrating my birthday with you all in different ways throughout the years (in no particular order): family gatherings, horror movie nights, non-uniform days, dance parties, bouncy castle, ceilidh, theatre trips, cooking classes, New York, Hong Kong, Sicily, Naxos, Mint Leaf, Ayoush, Dim-T, Masti, dim sum making, board games, museums, afternoon teas, steak dates, a birthday Barry's class, an early Halloween, brunches, many many dinners, the big 30th, M Victoria, Birmingham Akbar's, Bicester village, fresher's week birthdays, Ramadan birthdays, movie nights, family birthdays, escape rooms, primrose hill, trampolining, onesie night, sleepovers, German gymnasium, photography lessons, spa day, massages and many more.. For my 33rd birthday- for anyone who wished to celebrate with me this year, please consider a donation to Refuge instead.

Why Refuge?

Over the years, it has absolutely devastated me how many of my own (friends, people I know well, people or families I know from afar) have been affected been domestic violence. Domestic violence silently kills and chokes women, children, men and families, as it's still so stigmatised and hidden in our society (and often takes place behind closed doors). However, it does not discriminate against race, job title, salary, educational attainment, religion, culture, family values; and can happen to anyone, at any time.

For those who don't know, Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation in the UK. Since 1971, Refuge has led the campaign against domestic abuse. They have grown to become the country’s largest single provider of specialist domestic and gender-based violence services.

What can you do?

This page isn't just about fundraising, it's also about raising awareness of domestic violence as a hidden crime; something that could easily be in a movie storyline but is never really spoken about or highlighted in conversation. Some of you may be in a position to donate, which is fantastic. For others, as cost of living increases - it may not be as easy, and there are many other ways to support. You can bring this cause out of the shadows and have a conversation with someone this week. You can check in with your friends, family and colleagues if they have ever shown any signs of distress. You can join me on a run after work, or on a weekend. You can share this page and open up the conversation around domestic violence.

I've shared Refuge's social media channels below, click on the links and find out about some of the great work they do to advocate for, help and support current victims and survivors reclaim the lives that were brutally stolen from them:

https://refuge.org.uk/about-refuge/

https://twitter.com/RefugeCharity

https://www.instagram.com/refugecharity/

https://www.facebook.com/RefugeCharity

https://www.tiktok.com/@refugecharity

Thank you so much for reading my story, and please wish me luck (and keep your fingers crossed for some dry weather) on the 2nd October!!!