Why Run 10K for a Refugee Charity? | Our Champion Fundraisers Share What Inspired Them

What a weekend! Team Upbeat took on the Derby 10K and absolutely smashed it, raising a total of £3,679 for Upbeat Communities’ projects.

This year, the race landed on Mother’s Day—so our team of runners raised money for our work with refugee mothers and their children. Each year, Upbeat supports as many as 180 refugee women through weekly support groups, English classes, childcare, and support into employment.

We need to offer this support due to the many barriers refugee women face as they rebuild their lives, often with childcare commitments, limited opportunities to learn English, and unique trauma from their life back home, and journey fleeing. They may have been tortured or persecuted, or fled other horrific violations of human rights. They may have experienced sexual violence. They may arrive in the UK knowing no one.

Our Derby 10K team stepped up to the challenge of raising the funds we need to support women in these situations. We asked some of them to share what particularly inspired them to run and fundraise this year. Here’s what they said:

Marsha

“The hardest thing I have to do this week is run 10k to raise money for refugee women and the work Upbeat does. I don't have to hide from bombs, or try to feed my child, or expect to face sexual violence, or use a plastic bag as a nappy for my baby... and if I did, and had to escape all that, I don't have to worry that the country that had a hand in creating my situation rejecting me as a human and treating me as a criminal, simply as I try to seek safety.”

Jack & Magda - Getinge

“We’re proud to be taking on the 10K run to raise money for Upbeat Communities.

This year, the race falls on Mother’s Day, making it an especially meaningful opportunity to support Upbeat Communities and their vital work with refugee mothers and children in Derby.”

Helen

“I'm running, on Mother's Day, for Upbeat Communities' work with refugee mums. I want refugees and asylum seekers in our communities to know that they are welcome and cared about. I realised recently, how detrimental to wellbeing the hostile protests can be, so I want to do something that's life-giving and positive to bring some healing to a broken world and broken lives.”

Maisie

“I can think of nothing more terrifying and heartbreaking that leaving behind my home (and often family too) and moving to a country where I don't speak the language. Upbeat are doing incredible work to empower refugees to take steps to rebuild their lives.”

John

“As an Upbeat English class support volunteer, I have met many remarkable women who are so keen to improve their English to help them support their children, integrate into the community, and ultimately be allowed to gain employment.

I'd be so grateful for any donations to help these amazing mothers.”

Inspired? Upbeat Communities relies on ordinary yet extraordinary people to help us support refugees. That’s why we offer multiple fundraisers throughout the year for you to get stuck in with!

Our upcoming events are the Inflatable 5K on 18th April, and Derby Half Marathon on 28th June. Sign up today—why not get a friend or colleague involved with you?