Ever run a half-marathon before? I haven’t!
But this is the challenge I set myself when thinking about how to fundraise for this year’s World Refugee Day.
For the last couple of months, I have been working at Second Tree in Ioannina, Greece.
Second Tree is a humanitarian organisation founded in 2016, working in refugee camps to deliver programmes and organise community events, and also working with municipalities, decision-makers, and NGOs to challenge and change the narratives around ‘newcomers.’
My role at Second Tree is a mix of research, communications, and community engagement. One day, I might be helping prepare materials for an academic conference or university workshop, and the next, I’m at the market or a sports day, spending time with the community.
Community is at the heart of what we do and why we do what we do. Every two weeks, we organise a market trip from Katsikas camp to the local market in Ioannina, where people can go into town to do shopping, buy fresh fruit from the market, or argue with us on who is the better volleyball player or who bought the tastiest oranges.
But one of the reasons we do this market excursion is because of the distance from Katsikas camp to nearby amenities. It is a physical reminder of the isolation newcomers face.
My run starts at the Municipal (Immigrations) Office in Perama, then continues to the Katsikas camp (about 13km), and finally to the Ioannina local market (about 9km).
Each distance is a distance people in camp have to manage on a weekly or even daily basis.
On the 21st of June, I will be running over 21 km!
Your donations would help Second Tree continue our work, including running fun events for the community, and support me running a half-marathon! Thank you 🩵
BANK DETAILS
You can either donate through the donation form above, using your credit card or PayPal account, or you can make a bank transfer using the bank details below. When making a bank transfer, please include your email address so that you can receive your donation receipt and hear about the impact of your support!
Second Tree
Alpha Bank, Aghiou Dimitriou 66,
54631 Thessaloniki
IBAN: GR3301407090709002002015702
BIC: CRBAGRAA