Running for Open Arms Mediterranean sea rescue

Since 2014 more than 28,000 people have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean.

These are men, women and children escaping conflict, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation, in search of a better life.

Earlier this year I started volunteering to support and raise awareness of Barcelona based NGO Open Arms. Open Arms specialise in sea rescue and since their inception have saved over 69,000 lives in the Mediterranean.

Each year, thousands of men, women and children perish or go missing in the Mediterranean and on the northwest African routes without a trace. The number of people risking their lives at sea in order to flee from suffering is not slowing down, that’s why they need to be there.

On 11 February 2024 I will be running the Barcelona Half Marathon 21k in as close to two hours as possible to raise funds for Open Arms.

Running at this pace is going to be a challenge for me, but running 21k by choice is nothing compared to the 1253k distance from Libya to Italy that many migrants face. These journeys often last for days in overcrowded and unsuitable boats and without food and water.

Your donation will help Open Arms continue their life saving work by keeping their rescue and surveillance boats and crews active in addition to supporting their education and awareness raising campaigns on land.

Any donation, no matter how small, will make a difference.

Thank you so much in advance!

For more information on Open Arms please visit their website: https://www.openarms.es/en