Back when I was a lazy PhD student trying, with increasing levels of panic, to come up with a hundred thousand sensible words about the philosophy of forgiveness, I lived as a residential worker in a house with 7 young men who were seeking asylum, after having fled war zones, terrorism and illegal occupation. I'll be honest... this did not help with the thesis.

It was a lot of fun though, and I got an insight into the lives of young people from Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine and Eritrea, as they navigated the strange world of 21st century Britain, and tried to work out what on earth I was doing with all those books and papers, day after day after day.

I'll be remembering my time with them as I train for the 2025 London Marathon, which I'll be running help raise funds for the work of JRS UK.

People who have been forced to flee their homes and seek sanctuary in the UK are often faced with destitution and hostility. (Sometimes they are even forced to live with lazy philosophers).

JRS UK accompanies, serves and advocates for the rights of refugees - providing essential support like food, accommodation and advice as well as helping people to navigate a hostile asylum system.

Sponsor me, and I promise I'll run as fast as my spindly little legs can carry me. Get your friends to sponsor me, and I'll see if I can make it under 4:15....