Hello all

As you may know, I've been a Children's Residential Social Care Worker for almost 5 years and began my career in the youth/community sector 13 years ago. I work in Care Homes providing long-term support for vulnerable young people who have survived early-life trauma, including children seeking asylum - children who've overcome warfare, torture, and other incredibly challenging circumstances. Children born into unsafe environments. These are some of the strongest and most resilient people I've ever had the privilege to know, and I'm deeply proud to have been their Keyworker.

Immigration is a seen as a political subject, and there may be friends reading this who have differing views regarding refugees. I hope something we can agree on is that we all have a human right to dignity and safety, and that if Britain is accommodating people seeking asylum then it is important they are supported to understand their new surroundings, culture, and live harmoniously with local communities. Organisations and charities which work with refugees are pivotal for this to be achieved.

Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum support asylum seekers with integration through social clubs to help meet people, activities to learn about the local community, lessons in the English language, and much much more. Last year alone, the Forum helped over 3,500 people from 72 countries!!

In September, I will run the Robin Hood Half Marathon in support of the Refugee Forum. When I ran it last year, my Keychild cheered from the sidelines. They told me about all of the running they have had to do since childhood, and they hoped to run the race with me one day. This year won't be that year, but I do want to represent them somehow. That's why I've decided that in preparation for the Half Marathon I want to raise awareness for some of the journeys which refugees across the world must take to find safety.

540 KILOMETRES BY FOOT

Refugees from Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan must often cross the Iranian-Turkish border, which stretches 540km. Various methods are used including jumping the border wall, traversing sewage pipes, or navigating mountain paths. I will accumulate 540km by foot whilst training - to account for potential injuries and recovery times, I will allow myself to do this by both running and walking.

1,775 KILOMETRES BY BIKE

After Turkey comes Bulgaria, where vigilantes armed with machetes hunt asylum seekers in the forest before binding and beating them to take back to an equally aggressive Border Patrol. To reach France, refugees must evade these threats and make their way through at least five more countries over a distance of approximately 1,775km. I will cover this distance by bike in the coming months.

35 KILOMETRES BY WATER

Many routes require the use of small boats over seas, where choppy waters and unsafe conditions cause many dinghies to capsize or sink. The final stretch for many refugees is traversing the English Channel. I will be swimming the length of the Channel - 35km.

I hope this helps shed some light on just a few of the immense challenges faced by people seeking safe passage and a safe home. This is an opportunity to recognise our privileges, and I hope it's clear that I am choosing these targets in order to draw light on the subjects and not to trivialise them. I have the utmost respect for those forced into these journeys. Over the coming weeks and months I'll share updates and further facts in the hope of providing education and understanding. Anything which can be donated would be greatly appreciated, and all proceeds go to the Refugee Forum. If you can't spare any money, please do consider donating clothes to them or similar charities such as ShareWear.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

Stephen / Steph / Ash