Michael Durham, a retired journalist from Stroud Green, has beaten his £2,000 fundraising target this week as part of the British Red Cross’s Miles for Refugees appeal.
Michael said: “I never expected to raise so much, so I’m completely overwhelmed.”
The appeal encouraged fundraisers to walk, run or swim various distances, with each challenge reflecting a journey refugees are forced to make to reach safety. The funds raised by the virtual event are being used to support and resettle refugees in the UK.
Michael, 68, walked 76 miles, the equivalent of Damascus to Beirut, and clocked up his steps walking round Finsbury Park and the streets of north London.
During the pandemic, more and more desperate families have been making the hazardous journey to the UK. According to analysis by PA Media, more than 4,000 people have crossed the Channel since lockdown began.
Michael believes this cause is particularly important to champion during the pandemic. “In a nutshell, this is about recognising common values and what it means to be human. There are so many ways to be hateful and discriminate against people in need of our help because of where they come from.”
The British Red Cross is the UK’s largest independent provider of refugee support. On their website, they acknowledged the public’s hard work supporting Miles for Refugees: “Thank you to everyone who took part. Together we travelled over 500,000 miles and raised over £1 million to support refugees, people seeking asylum, and vulnerable migrants in the UK.”
