Three little pigs went running one day, over to Salford* and far away. It was difficult at first, they huffed and they puffed and they blew a human gasket, yet they had a common goal that kept their trotters trotting: to get fit for the Bupa Great Manchester Run and attempt to raise some pennies for Freedom from Torture North West – a human rights charity providing psychological and practical care to survivors of torture.

Though not alone, the North West is a region shattered by the punch of public spending cuts. Amongst many services that tragically cease to exist are those that support refugee and asylum seekers and given that Manchester alone is one of the largest dispersal** areas in the country, this means there are a heck of a lot of vulnerable people walking the streets.

The survivors accessing Freedom from Torture have sought sanctuary in the UK and with help from the scores of compassionate souls that work and volunteer in the centre, are attempting to address their trauma and rebuild their lives. Yet with every cruel fistful of hardship thrown at them they are hurtled backwards in their recovery.

For £26 you could fund one hour of therapy. For £4 you could fund the bus fare for someone to access that therapy. For £10 you could fund a week’s relief payment for someone who is destitute. Because however much you choose to donate will be contributing to the sustainability of the vital service that Freedom from Torture provide. And you will have made the creators of this page as happy as pigs in....

Yours, with blisters and bunions,

Emily, Hayley and Laura

 

* Not strictly true, we can probably only run 6.7km – collectively – at best.

** Whereby families and individuals claiming asylum are placed on a no-choice basis in designated regions.