On Sunday 17 May 2026, I'll be running the Hackney Half Marathon to raise money for Breaking Barriers.

Breaking Barriers is a charity set up to help refugees find meaningful employment in the UK.

Refugees leave their home countries to flee war, persecution, and violence, often arriving in the UK having lost their homes, careers, communities and support networks.

As they try to rebuild their lives in the UK, they are met with a complex and unfamiliar job market, alongside discrimination and uncertainty in the asylum process, all while navigating language barriers, new systems, and the practical challenges of starting again in a new country.

By supporting my half marathon, you'll be helping Breaking Barriers to provide tailored employment guidance, English language support, re-accreditation advice, and access to training and workplace opportunities. This support helps refugees move towards stable work, rebuild confidence, and find purpose here in the UK.

I’ve been working at Breaking Barriers since November, and feel very fortunate to experience every day the hard work, commitment, supportive working environment, and passion of the people across the organisation, as well as to witness the impact this work has on the lives of our refugee clients.

In an increasingly challenging political climate, with growing anti-refugee rhetoric in the UK, I feel incredibly proud to work for an organisation committed to supporting refugees to rebuild their lives. This work feels more important than ever.

If you’re able to support Breaking Barriers by sponsoring me in any amount, I would be very grateful.

Thank you!