My name is Jane. I'm a 61 year old ex-mental health nurse.

On the 5th October, I'm running 10km in the Great Scottish Run to raise money for War Child.

How did I come to be doing this?

I volunteered with a charity in Northern France that provides humanitarian assistance to people seeking refuge in the UK.

Among them were children - babies, toddlers, teenagers - making dangerous journeys, some with their families, some alone.

All fleeing unbearable realities, not least conflict and the consequences of conflict.

I thought about the children left behind, still living in unutterable conditions that so many of us here can't comprehend.

Children who should be playing, learning, imagining their futures instead:

are starving

feel terrified

lose limbs

have nightmares

can't be sure that they or the people they love will live.

Last year I had bladder cancer surgery which left me unable to use my left leg.

After a lot of physiotherapy, I took up running - not fast and not pretty 🤷 - to help my leg move normally again.

It's a work in progress. I run wearing high compression stockings and a urostomy bag.

Having cancer made me take a long hard look at my life.

I realise how privileged and insulated I've been, living in the UK, to have reached the age of 61, mostly in a time of peace.

I can no longer volunteer in France, but I can make a small contribution to supporting children affected by conflict by fundraising for War Child.

Can you help too?

Please sponsor me as generously as you can.

Thank you.