On 3rd June I took part in an extreme challenge in extreme conditions for an extreme cause. I ran a marathon in +30 heat and rolling hills on Mount Nebo in Jordan. I ran because I wanted to raise money for Syrian and Iraqi refugees.

During my time in Jordan I was able to visit and meet families from Syria and Iraq that had sought refuge in Jordan. Many of these families had experienced intense suffering and persecution, had lost all material possession and had left family behind (with no way of contacting them). Some had had family taken from them before they left, including a couple who's 3-year old niece had been abducted by ISIS and has not since been heard from. The girl's parents remain Iraq, determined to stay and find their girl, or die trying.

The money I'm raising is for Open Doors and will go toward providing families with basic living essentials that we take for granted: shelter, food, education. Open Doors also provides trauma counselling for the child refugees, who have gone through unimaginable trials that have a huge affect on vulnerable minds. For many, the word 'travel' induces fear and terror. Open Doors is a ministry that seeks to support Christians that are persecuted across the world. However, they do not discriminate against other faith-groups and whilst their mission is to support Christians, they of course support people from other faiths or world-views, with immeasurable compassion and sacrifice, that they encounter along the course of their mission.

Having seen first hand where your money will go, I can assure you that it is money well spent. These are families that are genuinely in need and genuinely grateful for what they receive, but are equally as joyful and peaceful in their lack. Quite astonishingly so. Please do give generously. Your money will change lives and will crucially provide education and trauma care for children - a generation that with our help can rise to challenge the injustices within the Middle East. 

If you would like to set up direct debit instead and give a monthly donation, then please get in touch.

H x