I’m running the London Marathon for Choose Love.

Because right now, the conversation around refugees and asylum seekers in the UK is wrong, increasingly hostile, and dangerous.

Too often, it’s built on fear. On division. On headlines that forget the humanity at the heart of it all.

But I know a different story. In 1995, my family came to the UK from Northern Cyprus as asylum seekers. We didn’t arrive with much - but we were met with compassion, with community, and with people who believed in giving others a chance.

That welcome changed everything for us. It meant I could grow up here, build a life here, and dedicate my work to giving back to the city that gave my family so much. And if I’m honest, I fear that today, people are no longer receiving the same welcome that my family did.

That should concern all of us. Because when we lose that sense of compassion, we lose something fundamental about who we are as a country.

That’s where Choose Love comes in.

They are doing incredible work supporting refugees and displaced people across the world - providing everything from emergency aid and rescue boats to legal support, mental health services and long-term integration.

But more than that, they are changing the narrative - reminding us that behind every statistic is a human story, full of resilience, courage and hope.

I’m running this marathon to raise money for that work. To stand up for a different kind of politics - one rooted in compassion, fairness and solidarity.

And to say clearly: we are better than the division we’re seeing. London, and this country, has always been at its best when we lead with openness, not fear. When we choose hope over hostility. That’s the future I believe in. And with your support, it’s the future we can build.

If you can, please donate. Every contribution will go towards supporting refugees and the vital work that Choose Love delivers around the world.

And if you can’t donate, sharing this page goes a long way too.

Let’s choose love.