This October, Asylum Welcome is putting forward our own team to run the Oxford Half Marathon. The team is as diverse as our organisation, with a Sanctuary Hosting guest, a service coordinator, volunteers and even our Joint CEO, Dr Hari Reed.

We are running this half marathon in memory of one of our volunteers, James Throup, who died in July 2025 following an accident.

James was signed up to be part of the Asylum Welcome Oxford Half team, and we are keen to run together in his memory for an organisation that he was so committed to supporting.

James joined Asylum Welcome as a volunteer in 2024. He was particularly interested in being a "buddy" for Sanctuary Hosting guests, and he buddied three of our clients, including one young gentleman who also had an interest in running. They would sometimes go out for a jog together, James acting as the running guide as well as offering a sympathetic ear and a supportive word. Alongside his buddying role, James could be counted on to turn up to all of our events.

James had a history of voluntary work and supporting others. He was also a neighbour to us at Asylum Welcome, living very close to our offices, and was sometimes spotted in the local coffee shop. He is much missed by all of us at Asylum Welcome.

Our run is to honour James's memory and the kindness, generosity and compassion he brought to our clients.

Please donate whatever you can today to help us support the people and families across Oxfordshire whom James cared about so deeply. Thank you.