My name is Jules, and I’m running with Team JRS UK in this year’s London Marathon on Sunday 27th April.
As an asylum seeker I waited a long time for my refugee status to be acknowledged.
It’s very sad to be in a situation where you are homeless and an asylum seeker. There is a picture in the centre of a friend of mine who was in this situation. Sadly they passed away. I think it’s because of the difficult situation that made them sick. Even I had to take medication to bring my blood pressure down. People need assistance as it’s not easy. I was stuck in the asylum system for nearly two decades. I was sad and my blood pressure was high. I used to think a lot and I was always scared and panicked when reporting to the Home Office.
JRS UK was a great help during this time. They helped me with food, money for transport, and put credit on my phone. The legal team helped me too, paying attention to every aspect of my case. With their help, I received refugee status last year in September. I’m doing some professional qualifications right now, and I’m excited to start working.
Now that I’m able to move forward with my life, I want to give back to JRS UK and be a friend to other people who are stuck in limbo. I’m volunteering at JRS UK with the English and drama classes, the JRS shop and acupuncture.
I also want to use my body to run the Marathon for JRS UK. I don’t have anything else to give back, just my body.
I used to run races in my country and April will be my first time running a race in the UK! I’m excited: every year I’ve watched the Marathon on TV and every year I’ve thought: ‘one day I will do it’. And now there’s only a couple months to go!
I’d be grateful for any donations you can make to my fundraiser for JRS UK. The money goes to supporting services like food, clothes, and toiletries, expert legal advice and casework, and accompaniment. All things that helped me so much on my journey.
My favourite songs for training to are Katy Perry’s “Firework” and a Christian song called “Hallelujah”. They make me happy. When I got my status I had a big party in the centre. We played “Firework”, where the song picks up it reminds me of being free and I feel so good.
You don’t have to feel like a waste of space
You’re original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow
Maybe a reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
See Jules’ fundraising page here
