I work for JRS UK, a small organisation based in East London, who support people who have been made destitute by the asylum system and those in immigration detention. 6 amazing humans had agreed to run the London marathon this weekend to raise money for the refugee friends we support, but the coronavirus has delayed the marathon and it means refugees won't benefit from the cash the marathon would have raised. 

So, I am taking on a bonkers 2.6 challenge to help fill the gap...

I am going to walk 2.6 miles by 6.26AM on Sunday 26th April 2020 to raise much needed funds for 350 of our refugee friends.

The Coronavirus outbreak has been devastating for so many people in  many ways. I know first hand that the refugee friends who JRS UK support are particularly struggling. Without access to benefits and banned from working, they live precarious lives, relying on friends to support them and charities to provide for their basic needs.  But the pandemic means day centres have had to close their doors and many are finding their informal housing arrangements breaking down. They aren't benefiting from government schemes to relieve pressure and they are falling through the cracks of most of the mutual aid organisations. 

It leaves our refugee friends facing a crisis to survive.

At JRS UK we have turned our Day Centre inside out and are taking essential help like food and hygiene packs onto the road through volunteer deliveries. We are also rolling out cards to provide hardship funds to refugee friends safely and mobile phone top-ups so that they can stay in touch with family and people who might be able to help. 

We urgently need to raise money for this appeal to ensure we can go on supporting refugees at this time of crisis. Anything you can give would help and go directly towards supporting destitute refugees in need. 

Thanks so much for your support!

Sarah

Please sponsor me!