Actress and run leader Emma Manton is the founder of Running With Refugees, a charity whose virtual and live running events have raised thousands for refugees all over the world.
For the fourth year in a row, we’re delighted to say that this years’ virtual marathon event is raising vital funds for PC4R. We caught up with Emma for a quick chat about why she chooses to support us, and how you can get involved.
PC4R: Why is the refugee crisis so close to your heart?
Emma: I first became aware of the crisis when the photograph of Alan Kurdi on the beach made it into the press, back in 2015. It felt like the whole world, for a moment, really cared about refugees. He was the same age as my son at the time – that image hit me in a way that all the other news stories hadn’t. And I know I wasn’t the only one who felt that way – I think it was the moment for a lot of people.
The world has changed so much since 2015, and as the public rhetoric has changed over the years, it’s felt even more important to keep talking about this. I’ve also visited the camps, and once you’ve looked it square in the eye, you can’t look away.
Sadly, 2022 has brought the refugee crisis back to the forefront of the news. Imagine reading or hearing news stories, unsure as to whether your loved ones are involved and being unable to contact them. PC4R allows people to contact their families. To let them know they're safe. And in their thoughts. What could be more vital?
PC4R: Why did you set up Running With Refugees?
Emma: I set it up originally to fundraise for my London Marathon place through UNHCR, and then quickly realised it was more than just a fundraiser – it was actually a really nice fitness event. Running With Refugees is a really good entry-level running challenge for people. I’ve seen friends sign up and then go on to become runners, entering live events, doing half marathons and marathons, all from having started by supporting a charity. It’s become a way to get people moving, which is lovely and a bit of a bonus side effect, really.
PC4R: Why have you chosen to support Phone Credit For Refugees again this year?
Emma: Because I can’t imagine anything worse than being in a scary, frightening foreign place where you don’t speak the language and not being able to check in on your loved ones, especially if you’ve had to leave them behind somewhere you know is dangerous. I imagine in that situation I would rather be able to check on my family than… eat, almost.
And there’s so much else tied up with our phones: how do you know where you are? How do you find a map? How do you access any services? How do you find people who can help you? How do you contact the Home Office? All those things you need to do – find your paperwork, fill in a form, translate something. We turn to our phones for that. It’s how we live in the world; it’s how we communicate with each other; it’s how we do anything. And not being able to do that seems brutal… really, really brutal. Our phones are not a luxury item. They’re our connection to everything.
PC4R: Why should people sign up to the 2023 event?
Emma: The virtual marathon has always felt like a simple, achievable challenge to get the year off to a good start. You don't need to be running for hours and hours, just a few miles, a few times a week will do it. And it can help form a running habit that will hopefully stick!
PC4R: Do you have to be a super fit runner to take part?
Emma: Absolutely not. There are some people who have run their 26.2 miles within the first week, and some people who are doing a tour of the block on the last day, pushing their buggy or accompanied by a small child on a scooter, to get the final miles in. That’s the joy of it – it’s so inclusive. Logging it on the EtchRock site, you can see all of this – everybody posts runs and photos, and there’s a leaderboard, so you can see how everyone’s getting on and where they are – people all over the world have taken part, including people in India, America, Australia, Canada and all over Europe.
You can sign up here to take part in Running with Refugees in January 2023 – we can’t wait to welcome you as part of our team! And to double your impact, you can set up a Just Giving page here to start raising funds in support of your run - every penny will go towards helping refugees in need.
See you on the (virtual) start line!