I have had challenges in life for sure, who hasn’t. But never so bad that I haven’t had a place to lay my head at night. In my privileged existence living in several countries in the world, I have, however, been a witness to many who do not have a place to call home. 

My son Steven first alerted me to the scale of homelessness in London through his work in the NHS, and now Rob from City Mission informed me that in the last year there were 11,018 people living on the street, in doorways, stairwells, parks or derelict buildings in London alone; an estimated 148 people died in the city during this time, and the average age at death was tragically just 44 years. People experiencing homelessness are some of the most vulnerable and socially excluded in society, their lives are often damaged, chaotic and very painful. And in our dystopian world, the number of homeless is only expected to increase as people are forced to flee circumstances unfolding in the likes of Afghanistan and Hong Kong. 

And so - I am running in the Kingston half marathon on Sunday 24 October and would like to ask your support in raising funds for the work that City Mission tirelessly does, reaching out to people who are sleeping rough, addressing their practical needs, and sharing hope, which has the power to transform lives.  But I would add, in a sense, it’s not me that is running on the 24th…

I share the same birthday as the Dalai Lama, 6 July. It saddens me that he has been a refugee in essence for more than 50 years, unable to visit his home in Tibet due to circumstances there. I had planned to run and fund raise on our birthday this year, one of my dreams is to walk the Dalai Lama home one 6 July - though he doesn’t know it :) 

But anyway, I didn’t run, just didn’t get round to it. And then I heard Amer died this last 6 July in a car accident, he was just 16. And this reminded me… we will all die for sure, but we don’t know when, so don’t wait until tomorrow.

So it is Amer inspiring me to run on 24th, I feel actually it is he who will be running. Having had the honour to be with him and some of his family in Zanzibar in July 2018 where they were on a mission to support underprivileged families there, I know for sure he will be with me in Kingston, London in a few short weeks from now.

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