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Nina vs Coast

Nina Clifton

London

About this campaign

For those of you who know me, raising money for a charity that supports refugees will come as no surprise. For those of you who don’t, let me tell you more. Like many others, the image of 3 year old Aylan Kurdi publicised in September 2015, shocked me. Aylan drowned at sea after the boat his family had taken to cross the Mediterranean Sea, in their journey to Europe, capsized. Aylan and his family’s tragedy deepened my already strong belief in this cause.

What Aylan’s death represents is extremely distressing. Today over 65.6 million individuals have been forcibly displaced by persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. Unfortunately, the journey to safety is often dangerous and unforgiving. Despite less reporting in UK media, the lack of safe and legal routes to sanctuary continues to claim lives - in 2017, 3,110 men, women and children lost their lives, like Aylan, while trying to cross the Mediterranean. Many, many, more face barriers preventing them from continuing their journey to safety: living in overflowing camps, having little or no personal possessions, eating less than adequate food, and concerning levels of ill-health.

Statistics really bring the message home…

1 person becomes newly displaced every 3 seconds.
That’s 20 every minute.
28,300 every day.

84% of displaced persons are hosted by developing countries. Host countries are entitled to additional support from the UN, but chronic underfunding of the UNHCR means less than 1 in 10 refugee receives their support.

This is where an amazing charity called Help Refugees steps into the picture. Working to fill this huge gap in support, Help Refugees collaborate with effective local and grassroots groups across Europe and the Middle East to help those most in need. This may mean providing food, clothing, shelter, funding, and much more.

I am particularly moved to help those unaccompanied children, who face the journey of fleeing to perceived safety alone. These children are very vulnerable, facing a sobering risk of abuse and exploitation. 92% of the 15,140 children who crossed the central Mediterranean between January and September 2017 were travelling alone. Help Refugees have led fantastic activist work to fight for the rights for these children. I feel so strongly about this cause that I am currently focussing my Masters thesis on highlighting the vulnerabilities of this group, their concerning health outcomes, and providing an in depth review of current UK government processes in place to support these unaccompanied children.

Help Refugees have helped 722,500 people so far. They’re currently funding 80 projects in Europe and the Middle East. What they do is incredible, but they rely on donations, and they need our support.

Cue my challenge…

On the 7th July, I will be attempting to complete the Man vs Coast challenge! It’s a 22+ mile running race around the hilly Cornwall coastline, in which there will be many a nature-built obstacle, along with swimming sections in which ‘jumping into water’ and ‘full immersion’ will occur. Terrifying, right! I have never run more than a half marathon. I’ve not competed in an event involving swimming for at least 14 years. I genuinely can’t remember the last time I even put two legs together and formed anything resembling a swim stroke! The event organisers describe the challenge as lasting at least 22 miles, although warn that it will feel more like 50 miles, due to the hills, coastal winds, obstacles, and swimming components. To say it’s going to be a challenge, is an understatement. Although a little excited, I’m actually petrified.

But it’s all for a fantastic cause.

Help Refugee’s iconic motto is ‘Choose Love’, and it’s imperative we come together and do just that.

Every donation, however big or small, is greatly appreciated.

I thank you!

Much love,

Nina Clifton

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