Hackney Half Heroes raise thousands for BID
Thirteen runners raised over £8,000 for our work providing free legal advice for people detained under immigration powers.
On Sunday 21st May thirteen runners took on the Hackney Half Marathon raising over £8,000 for BID’s work providing free legal advice to people locked up indefinitely in detention centres across the UK - enough to power our advice line for eight whole months!
Sporting our bright blue kit, the team joined over 24,000 people as they ran an incredible 13.1 miles through London with fans, bands and DJs cheering them on from start to finish.
We caught up with some of our amazing fundraising runners and this is what they had to say:
Helen shared why she ran and some advice for future runners:
"I chose to fundraise for Bid because I believe in their mission to end immigration detention in the UK. Bid’s work as a small but mighty charity provide support for those who need it under the hostile environment this government has created for asylum seekers and migrants.
The highlight of my day was the kids giving out sweets - I ate a lot of jelly babies! It’s so lovely seeing how many people come out of their homes to cheer us on.
My advice for someone thinking of doing it next year is to start training early if you can. Your legs will thank you for it on race day."
About the day Warren said:
“In the wake of new hostile environment policies from the Conservative government, I think it’s more important than ever to be supporting organisations that are working towards aiding people who are often in dire circumstances to get the advice and representation they not only need but deserve!
A highlight for me was seeing so many people running for charities, some familiar and others not, that are all doing great work! Another highlight would be Hanna, sprinting to the finish line and beating me by one second to have that over me!
My advice would be to just sign up and commit to it, it’s a great day out and even better when you know your hard work is going towards helping great causes! Oh and make sure you give yourself enough time to train for it!!!!”
Laura shared why she decided to take part and raise funds for BID:
"I saw the invitation in the BiD newsletter to join the half marathon team and thought why not! I have friends who have volunteered for BiD so I knew it's a very small organisation in need of funds - and what better time to support a migrant justice org than when our government is scapegoating migrants in the cruellest ways. It was a lovely team to be part of, would definitely do it again!"
When asked what advice would you give to someone thinking about doing it next year?
"Go for it, it's a mixed ability event, the signs up along the route remind you it's "your race, your pace". Enjoy it, and make sure to get in line for a free massage at the end!!"
Freya, who ran to raise funds for BID dressed as a Human Disco Ball, said:
"I chose to raise money for BiD for the Human Disco Ball campaign because I believe in what they do. Their legal services are often the only lifeline a person will have to get out of detention, maybe even the only contact they will have with the outside world. They go the extra mile for every client that comes to them for help, and so I wanted to go the extra mile for them.
I saw my friend Carlo FIVE TIMES. It pays to have a bike! Every time I got tired, I spotted him and it gave me a boost. That and seeing the Run Social with their confetti cannons at Mile 11, Midnight Runners and Mile 12, my AMAZING BID PALS at the picnic and my friends and sister Helena who came to cheer me on… it was a very special day.
If you're thinking of doing it, don’t think twice - do it! The crowd support is electric and will carry you through the race. You have it in you to do it and you will be proud that you did."
