Through my work, I come across many people who are homeless and destitute as a result of their asylum claims being turned down. Many are from war torn countries like Iraq, Iran ,Afganistan and also from countries like China and Zimbabwe with known records of human rights abuses. These include vulnerable people like pregnant women, elderly men and women, young people who might have travelled to U.K as unaccompanied minors and those suffering from Post trauma stress disorder and acute depression . While destitute,often people are still in the process of pursuing their asylum claims and waiting to gather fresh evidence to support a fresh claim or are waiting for their fresh claim or judicial review to be lodged or considered. While they wait, they could be at risk of rough sleeping and totally dependent on charities and handouts from people they know.

In March 2010, we came across the case of a family of three Russians, the Sehryk family. The couple and and their teenage son Stepan killed themselves by throwing themselves from the 15th floor of their YMCA rented flat at Red Road in Glasgow. They were told to leave their flat by that day, March 7. Their benefits of £105 per week   had been stopped. The family were in genuine fear of being returned to their country of origin because of Mr Sehryk's links with Russian military intelligence. According to a lawyer that advised them, the family were utterly shocked to be told that if they did not return they would have to leave their flat, they would become destitute, be forbidden to work, and refused recourse to public funds or emergency housing. Tragically, the Sehryk family left suicide notes and personal papers with a friend, and on the morning of Sunday March 7, their supposed eviction date, they jumped from the balcony of their 15th floor high rise flat. Their story became the subject of international media attention.

I know other families who have considered suicide as an alternative to being returned to unsafe countries, women with young children whose children have been taken into care because they could cope no longer with the constant fear of refusal, and then the ultimate realisation that they will have to return, without having had a fair hearing. 

The Hardship Fund is supported by people from all over Scotland, the UK and across Europe. It tries to give a breathing space to people while they work out what to do when their money and shelter has been stopped. The Destitution project gives people the time to find a lawyer, lodge fresh evidence or seek a judicial review of bad asylum decisions, which are becoming more common under the "fast track" system. The project provides a small amount of money for food, and arranges free, temporary shelter in someone's home for the most vulnerable. Positive Action in Housing now gives out £2,000 a month in hardship funds raised from donations to destitute asylum seekers and their families. My goal is to raise £500 which can support 20 destitute persons for a week while we arrange for them to stay with volunteers in their own homes.

That's why i'm going to take part in the Scottish Run and raise money for the Hardship Fund.  To help people who have nothing else, and hopefully turn things around for them with the support of good legal advice and practical support.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe – they’ll never send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to Positive Action in Housing Ltd's destitution fund, and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate.

So please donate whatever you can.