Earlier this year, I participated in two road trips across Europe with volunteers from the 'Micah Project' at St Meddans Church in Troon.    We delivered several hundred kilos of medical equipment which was forwarded into Ukraine. This kit has been used in hospitals and field stations. We also took several thousand pounds worth of clothing, nappies, toys and food thanks to cash that was raised by people in Scotland.

It is the way of these things that the war in Ukraine has slipped down the news agenda a little bit. However, the level of need among Ukrainian refugees has not significantly diminished. The horror of  leaving your home, taking only what you carry to head to an unknown destination for an unknown length of time is unimaginable to us in Scotland. And yet this continues to be the reality for millions of Ukrainian families. Although many have set up (hopefully temporary) homes in other countries, my understanding is that most refugees are still in countries that directly border Ukraine, especially Poland.

With these sentiments in mind, the money I raise through my run will go directly to a group of about 10 women and 15 children who have been living in a village hall outside of Warsaw since March. We got to know these ladies during our two trips. We listened to their distressing stories of leaving husbands, fathers, brothers and even elderly relatives behind. Though they are safe, the accommodation is far from ideal - they have little privacy and only 1 small kitchen. Furthermore, due to combinations of language barriers, age of their young children, and Polish government policy, several of them are unable to work. They are close to absolute poverty and donations of both cash and food are drying up.

It makes me very sad to think of these ladies and their children and I want to keep helping them, that's why I am asking for your sponsorship for my race on October 2nd.

I haven't run in any race since being forced to do cross country at school but I got into running properly during the COVID-19 lockdown. I'm getting quite good at it though my dad, who was a pretty nifty runner before he got fat (best half marathon time: 82 mins), likes to scoff at my pace. However, he has promised to donate £10 for every minute less than 1 hour 43 in which I complete.  So I want to bankrupt the old goat as well as helping my Ukrainian chums in Warsaw. 

Thanks for reading, and thanks for giving.

Jamie xxx