Hi friends! 

On 18th September, the four of us will be taking part in a one mile swim in the Serpentine lake, Hyde Park. We are raising money to fund urgent humanitarian assistance for the hundreds of thousands of people who have been forced to flee their homes and remain displaced in Afghanistan. 

We may look like seasoned swimmers in our group pic, but rest assured that this will be a significant challenge. Two weeks ahead of the race and Emily still doesn't have an adult-sized pair of goggles...

Any donations to propel us through those murky waters will be so appreciated. Even very small sums can go a long way in providing urgent relief to displaced people, including shelter, food and sanitary items. 

Thank you!! 

More about UNHCR's Afghanistan appeal

The people of Afghanistan have lived with conflict for more than four decades. Entire generations have never known peace and millions remain displaced.

This year more than 550,000 civilians have been forced to flee their homes, including 390,000 people who have fled since May alone. Figures show that women and children make up around 80 per cent of those fleeing. 

Renewed violence and instability have created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. Hundreds of thousands of people have been newly displaced across the country since the start of this year alone. Many had to flee with only the clothes on their back and are struggling to survive in appalling conditions, sheltering in tents made only of cloth. 

UNHCR is on the ground and doing everything possible to protect civilians, but urgently needs public support to help it reach families in desperate need. Please help us to protect people forced to flee. £35 will provide five sanitary kits including laundry soap, toilet soap and sanitary napkins. £52 can buy a core relief kit, providing a family with blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and a kitchen set. £310 can provide an emergency shelter kit, inc. a family tent and plastic tarpaulins.