On 18th October 2026 I will be running the Yorkshire Marathon to fundraise in aid of Action Syria. I discovered this extraordinary charity a few years ago when they were previously known as the Hands Up Foundation. I am always in awe of the work they do, and I hope to inspire you to support them too.

Action Syria began in 2012 as a response to the conflict which grew out of the Syrian uprising in 2011. Four friends gathered around a kitchen table to share Syrian food and fundraise to show their friends in Syria that they were not alone. These friends had a deep love for this country having spent time there learning Arabic, studying and working - they wanted to help their friends but also share their love for Syrian people, their culture and traditions.

Since then the charity has had an incredible impact on health and education in Syria, raising over £8 million of humanitarian assistance. In the second half of 2024 alone, they helped 17,695 people.

Now as Syria is trying to rebuild a new, just, diverse nation, Action Syria continues to work on the ground with communities who have already been doing this for years. 90 per cent of Syria’s population still live in poverty, 16.7 million people - including 7.5 million children - still need humanitarian assistance, 7.4 million are displaced and 90% of the population live in poverty. Millions face food insecurity, inadequate shelter and failing health and water systems. Half of hospitals are non-functional and millions of children remain out of school. At least 7000 schools are also damaged or destroyed.

As humanitarian aid funding has dropped globally, it is more important than ever to support charities like Action Syria who are working with communities on the ground to provide vital aid and support to a country that could take decades, if not years to rebuild, and generations to heal.

Syria remains one of the world’s hardest humanitarian contexts. Since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, around 1.4 million Syrians have tried to return, often to destroyed neighbourhoods and absent services. Although this moment brings hope, the transition is fragile, with declining international aid leaving critical gaps.

Syrians cannot and should not be left to rebuild alone. With trusted partners and the ability to move quickly and safely, Action Syria can support community-led recovery — strengthening essential services one school, one clinic, one family at a time.

As part of my marathon training, I will also be running half marathons and 10ks to further contribute miles towards Action Syria’s challenge where fundraisers will collectively run 2,026 miles for 2026. I’m so excited to see and hear about how other people find this challenge. I’ve never run further than a half-marathon before so this is definitely a combination of nerves and excitement!

Every month I will be writing a blog post on my website connected to the three strands of Action Syria’s work. I will also be sharing literature, recipes, stories – anything that might be of interest. I hope you will be inspired to learn and share with your friends and family.

Thank you so much for visiting this page - if you are able to donate, any donation you can kindly give will make a difference.

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