I’ll be running the London Marathon for the first time in April, to raise money for the British Red Cross. With every mile achieved and every painful training run, I’ll be ensuring the Red Cross can support those anywhere, anytime, who desperately need their help in the face of disaster and crisis.

From the heavy humanitarian consequences of the war in Ukraine, to  helping those struggling in the UK this winter, the Red Cross supports people in crisis, in the UK and worldwide, and I’m raising as much money as possible to help alleviate the suffering of those who live through unthinkable hardship and horrors.

The Red Cross is helping the world take action to support those already facing the harshest effects of poverty, climate change and ongoing conflict.

About the Red Cross and its work

• In the UK, the Red Cross provides practical, local and emotional
  support, including cost of living support, mobility aids, refugee services, support for isolated or lonely people, and
  those that have recently left hospital.
• The British Red Cross is the UK’s largest independent provider of services and support for refugees and people seeking asylum, vulnerable migrants and survivors of trafficking, helps over 30,000 people in the UK, annually at all stages of the asylum process.
• In Ukraine, the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal has reached more than 5 million people with life-saving aid, within Ukraine and neighbouring countries. 5 million people have received emergency relief, 10,000 people arriving in the UK from Ukraine have been supported.
• In the past 6 months, 13 million people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine,  and around 18 million people will need humanitarian aid.  Millions of people still have no safe place to call home, and more than 10 million have fled Ukraine. Donations provide essential emergency support, including food, water, medical care and shelter
• As well as support in Ukraine, the Red Cross also provide help and information for Ukrainian refugees in the UK- mental health and psychosocial support, first aid, health care, hygiene items.
• The Red Cross is also active in Afghanistan, where they’ve committed to deliver 3,000 tonnes of food aid to support the 23 million people who do not have enough food, and are providing  healthcare facilities, shelters and clean water. They have been working in Syria since the outbreak of the conflict over 11 years ago, where 4 out of 5 Syrians live in poverty, and deliver 60% of aid in the country. In Yemen they provide, medical supplies, give communities access to health, sanitation and hygiene services, and provide support to those who’ve lost their homes.