Hello again team! I’m two months into my new job as Senior Fundraising Officer, and it’s also two months today until the London Marathon!
Our team are smashing their Marathon training and fundraising, and we are incredibly grateful for all their hard work and dedication to accompanying people seeking sanctuary. We are also so grateful for all the support that you have shown them. Thank you.
If you would like to help us further, here are some ways you can get involved:
PRAY
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
ESV, Hebrews 12:1 – 2
A key word that stands out for me from the scripture is “endurance”. The Greek transliteration of endurance is “hupomoné”. This means to wait, look for, hope and expect. To be steadfast in the face of trials and this is what Team JRS UK will be doing. It’s no mean feat to train hard, give up a lot of your spare time and push yourself to reach new goals daily if not weekly.
Endurance, and standing steadfast in the face of trials, is what is demanded of our refugee friends navigating the asylum system, without any certainty of what the outcome will be.
Our Marathon runners & supporters are walking (or running!) alongside people seeking sanctuary by providing the much-needed resources and services. Whether it’s practical items, community activities, or expert legal advice, all this can give refugee friends hope that their asylum claims will soon be resolved.
Let us pray that Team JRS UK train and race without injury, and that this will be a positive life-changing experience that they can be proud of. Bless them for their generosity in choosing to raise vital funds for our work accompanying, serving, and advocating for the rights of refugees and forcibly displaced people. They will spend months and weeks on a training & nutrition plan, running in wind, rain, and cold and then power through 26 miles across central London to stand in solidarity with people seeking safety.
SUPPORT
You can support Team JRS UK by donating anything you can to our fundraising page. We’d also really appreciate it if you could share this with your friends and family and your local parish, by WhatsApp or posting on your social media!
We will have many posts you can re-share on our social media and blog posts from our runners sharing what motivates them to run which will be inspiring to say the least.
CHEER
On race day, Sunday 27th April, you are invited to join us at the cheer station at the 13.5 and 22mile point to make as much noise as possible and to encourage our runners along the London Marathon route. We will also have an after party at our centre with food and refreshments to celebrate our runner’s efforts and thank you for your support. Friends and family are welcome. Full details will be made available soon so please keep an eye on your e-news or email Fiona.oteng@jrs.net to find out more.
“Now that I have my refugee status, it’s my turn to give back my body to run to collect money so JRS UK can help more people, homeless people and asylum seekers.”
Jules Waka, Refugee Friend & JRS UK Volunteer
