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I will be running the Derby city 10k on 24th March to raise money for Upbeat a charity supporting refugees and asylum seekers.

Refugees and asylum seekers have often suffered unimaginable trauma in their home countries, on their journeys to the UK, and as they move through a hostile asylum process. Even after they have received leave to remain in the UK, the challenges continue as they have to find housing, open a bank account, and find a job within a period that the Home Office recently reduced to just 7 days.

• Upbeat’s activities support refugees through every stage of this process. Our mission is to see refugees thrive as they rebuild their lives.

Upbeat Communities is a charity that exists to empower refugees and asylum seekers as they rebuild their lives in the UK.

• Upbeat’s activities provide a lifeline to those who have fled war in search of safety, and who need to be welcomed into community. One of the best resources a refugee can have to help them settle in their new home is a good social network. The friendships and connectedness that refugees build at Upbeat can help them to overcome the many challenges they face.

• Upbeat provides English classes, support groups, children’s holiday clubs, community meals, emergency accommodation and more so that refugees and asylum seekers can integrate into their communities.

• Upbeat also provides practical support such as food parcels, clothing, and baby equipment, as well as advice on moving on from the asylum system.

• Every penny raised through fundraising will go towards sustaining Upbeat’s projects so that more refugees and asylum seekers can be empowered to thrive.

Quotes from people supported by Upbeat

• “When you first land in a country, in this situation, it is so hard. Because, one week ago or one month ago you are a normal person, you have a job, you have everything that you may have. But, suddenly, everything goes upside-down. And you are in a country, you are landed, and you cannot mention about your skills, you cannot work, you cannot have friends so easily because you feel different. You feel foreign.

But, Upbeat makes you feel like you belong to this place now, and you are okay. Whatever has happened to you, it’s okay. It can happen to anybody. And they welcome you in a way that they don’t look at your religion, they don’t look at your skin colour, they don’t look at your background, education, whatever. They just accept you because you are an important human being."

• "For me, Upbeat was like a lifesaver. Having a life back home and coming into loneliness, uncertainty and confusion and you find a family called Upbeat. It was like a light.”

• "When I talk to you, I know that I am not alone in this country. Thank you for this support and for giving me confidence in myself again. You are very wonderful."

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