We are facing the biggest global refugee crisis since the second world war. The Refugee Council works to help refugees in the UK, offering practical advice and support to those attempting to rebuild their lives after fleeing persecution, violence, and unimaginable horrors in their home countries. 

At the end of 2016, the UN estimated around 5.1 million people have had to leave Syria to escape conflict and violence. For many people fleeing their homes in the destroyed city of Aleppo the first point they reach after making it across the border into Turkey is the small town of Kilis, nominated last year for a nobel peace prize for the number of refugees it was accepting, and under attack from Daesh. 

The distance from Aleppo to Kilis is approximately 92km, just the beginning for most refugees of a long, hard, terrifying journey, often covering many thousands of miles by foot, facing attack, bad weather, aggressive attitudes, bureaucracy, language barriers, and the fear of not knowing whether they will see their homes or their families again, all with no guarantee of safety at the end of it.

I can't imagine what it would be like to be in this situation, or to have to travel that far to find safety. So between the August bank holiday weekend, and end of September 2017, I will be walking, swimming and possibly even running (no promises...) a total of 100km - just a fraction of the distance that Syrian refugees arriving in the UK will have had to travel.

I am a pretty sedentary person so this will be a challenge for me! As the final part of this, on the 23rd September I will be undertaking the Copper Peak District Challenge, a 25km time trial in the Peak District. 

If you're on Strava you can follow my (hitherto incredibly inactive) account at www.strava.com/athletes/lenglish-rose, and I'll update this page with my progress! Please considering sponsoring me, even a little, to keep me motivated and to support the vital work of the Refugee Council! 

You can also now donate via text! Just text LERX99 plus an amount (£1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70070!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.