Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!

On 25^th October, I will be running the virtual Derby 10K to raise money for Upbeat Communities.

Upbeat Communities is a wonderful charity I recently started working for, which aims to see refugees and asylum seekers welcomed and empowered in their local communities.

Prior to joining the Upbeat team, I had little to no idea what it might feel like to be an asylum seeker in this country. I didn’t know that asylum seekers were not allowed to work. Nor did I know that they are forced
to survive on £5 per day. I didn’t really know that many had been the victims of human trafficking, or else been abused on their journey by people smugglers. I didn’t know that the Home Office makes asylum seekers wait months and months for a decision on whether they can stay. That, if they can’t stay, their support is withdrawn and they are often left destitute.

I could go on. There was much I didn’t know until two months ago.

I also didn’t know about Upbeat Communities.

I didn’t know that, throughout lockdown, faithful volunteers have been keeping in touch with asylum seekers across Derbyshire via Whatsapp and Zoom, bringing round parcels every fortnight full of food and necessities.

I didn't know about the Host Derby scheme, where people open up their homes to give destitute asylum seekers a temporary place to live.

I didn’t know about the dedicated English tutors that are helping refugees learn English at a time when they need it more than ever in order to understand government guidance on Coronavirus restrictions.

I didn’t know that Upbeat runs a women’s coffee morning (now
on Zoom) every week for refugee women, where the volunteers know and care about all the details of the women’s lives, including the names of their children.

I didn’t know I’d end up being a member of a staff team made up of some of the most compassionate people I’ve met, or that I’d get the chance to meet some absolutely delightful families and individuals who have had to flee countries all over the world. I didn’t know they would be so hopeful, so determined, so full of joy, even after all they’ve been through.

I’m running the virtual Derby 10K because I want people
to

• know about the amazing work Upbeat Communities
  does
• donate so that they can keep it up
• be inspired to welcome refugees for
  themselves

If all my Facebook friends donated 50p each, I’d exceed my
target!

THANK YOU!

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.