Raising $5,000 for Free to Run — supporting girls and young women living in conflict zones through running, education, and leadership.

What’s Happening Right Now

In places like Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, and Gaza, girls are growing up in circumstances most of us cannot imagine.

Many of them:

- Can’t go to school safely

- Can’t play outside

- Can’t speak freely

- Can’t make decisions about their own lives

- Can’t walk or run in public without fear

- Live with the daily reality of violence, war, and restriction

Some have had their rights taken away overnight.

Some have lost family members and homes.

Some have never known what freedom feels like.

Every girl deserves safety, opportunity, and the right to live her life.

Right now, millions don’t have that.

What Free to Run Does

Free to Run is a charity that works directly inside conflict zones — places most organisations will never step into.

They help girls rebuild their confidence, community, and freedom through:

- Running groups (safe, supervised, and protected)

- Trauma-informed coaching

- Education and human rights training

- Leadership programmes that teach girls to speak, lead, and stand up for themselves

- Support networks for girls who’ve lost everything

For these girls, running isn’t just sport:

It’s a lifeline.

It’s healing.

It’s empowerment.

It’s their first step toward a future they choose.

Why I Ran 250km Across the Namib Desert

I recently completed a 250km self-sufficient ultramarathon through the Namib Desert — one of the toughest footraces in the world.

I ran through 50°C+ heat, freezing nights, brutal sand dunes, carrying everything I needed on my back. (A 12KG Pack and No support team)

But the race wasn’t about proving something. It was about doing something to pushing myself to my absolute limits with the opportunity I DO have.

This was about honouring the girls I’m raising money for. The ones that DON'T have the opportunities.

Every time I wanted to stop, I reminded myself:

“Somewhere right now, there’s a girl who would give anything just to run freely… to feel safe… to live her life.”

I ran because they can’t.

I ran so their stories wouldn’t be forgotten.

I ran to raise support for girls who face far harder battles than 250km in the desert.

Where Your Donation Goes

Your contribution directly helps girls who:

- Are living through war

- Have lost family members

- Are banned from public spaces

- Are denied education

- Are recovering from trauma

- Have never had the chance to feel safe, strong, or free

Your support will:

- Create new girls’ running programmes in conflict zones

- Provide safe environments for them to move and play

- Offer counselling and trauma support

- Give them leadership and life-skills training

- Help rebuild their confidence, identity, and hope

- Give them opportunities to leave the country they're in.

You’re not supporting a race.

You’re giving a girl her freedom, her safety, her voice, and her future.

How You Can Help

If this touched you — even a little — please consider donating.

Every amount, big or small, makes a real impact.

And if you can’t donate, please share this page with someone who might.

With love and purpose,

Preetam