This year, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge, celebrates its 32nd anniversary of admitting women. Although the days when female members were a rare species are long over, punters going by on the river still like to point out that Magdalene was the last college out of Cambridge and Oxford (!) to admit women.

Much has changed in the last three decades: the College has become an inclusive place with an active community welcoming people regardless of their gender, status and origin.

To celebrate our diversity and 32 years of women’s admission (we all know, anniversaries come but once a year), a few brave* members of the graduate community of Magdalene will participate in the Cambridge Half-Marathon, a charity event taking place on International Women Day, 8 March.

As an active MCR community, we have committed ourselves to support the Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre (CRCC). The Centre provides dedicated support services to survivors of rape, sexual abuse and sexual violence in Cambridgeshire. Every year the CRCC supports more than 1,000 survivors to not only cope and recover from the impact of sexual violence, but to go on to flourish and thrive.

As an NGO, the CRCC greatly relies on donations. Their work is only possible through the support of volunteers who raise awareness and who fundraise on- as well as offline. By sponsoring the Centre, we enable them to provide life-changing listening and support services for survivors (e.g. confidential helplines, one-to-one counselling, peer support groups and Independent Sexual Violence Advocates providing practical advice and help on legal processes).

From the pains of looking at our own bank accounts at the end of the month, we are fully aware that students often rely on a tight budget. No matter how small the amount is that you can spare, it will make a huge difference for the women and children supported by the CRCC at a time when they need it most.

We cannot promise you that we will win the Half-Marathon. But supporting us with a few pounds, euros, etc. and an encouraging or funny comment on this page will contribute a big deal to our motivation 💜

Thank you!!

*or crazy; that’s open for interpretation. Rumour has it some of
the Ma(g)d runners didn’t even know what distance a half-marathon was when they signed up. So for clarification: it’s an excruciating 21 kilometres or 13 miles.