About this campaign

Hello hello!

What am I doing now?

After the tumultuous and testing week in Transylvania that was Thighs of Steel Week 5 last August, I've only gone and signed up to do it again! Over two weeks in September, I'll be cycling 1260 km with Thighs of Steel, from Dubrovnik in Croatia to Athens in Greece to raise money for Help Refugees.

Again??

Last year was tough but rewarding, and together we raised over £80,000 for the refugee centre Khora in Athens. We raised enough money to pay their rent and bills for the next three years, so a massive thanks to everybody that donated! This time we're going much further and aiming to raise much more money, and as we collectively stumped up so much cash for Khora last year, this year we'll be spreading the money raised between multiple grassroots refugee projects supported by Help Refugees, Khora included!

Why?

Despite the refugee crisis disappearing from the front pages of our newspapers, it is far from over. Hundreds of thousands of people across Europe are being forced to live in inhumane conditions as they await long and complicated legal processes to decide their futures. They are staying in camps that have become semi-permanent or makeshift accommodation set up in abandoned buildings and are often being pushed into exploitative work as they live in a permanent state of limbo. While we focus on other things, this humanitarian crisis rolls on away from the spotlight. People have been living for years without the things that we would consider basic needs for survival; food, secure shelter, work etc. While our lives go on, their lives are on hold.

What do Help Refugees do and how will this money help?

Help Refugees work with local partner organisations on the ground, in France, Greece, Italy, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Turkey, Lebanon and the UK. 94% of Help Refugees funding goes to these organisations, which enables them to provide food, doctors, clothing, mother and baby essentials, education, legal support, family services, women's spaces, secure accommodation and more.

The money Thighs of Steel has raised so far for Khora has enabled them to serve 240,000 meals, provide 5326 legal assessments, hold 6620 classes and work on over 2553 teeth in the dentistry. This money has a really direct and positive impact on people's lives.

The money you donate will go exclusively to Help Refugees, we the cyclists pay for all the costs and travel for the ride.