My Story

As many of you know already, my father is Palestinian and a survivor of the 1948 Nakba. My Palestinian heritage and identity is very important to me and over the last 2 years and more of the genocide in Gaza, it not only has been devastating to watch the news every single day, but it has forever changed our lives as a result.

I have always strived to be the best human I can be. I ask myself every day what I can do to step into action and use my influence to help others and make a better world. Complacency is never an option I can live with, and complicity is unthinkable.

I've fundraised, marched, campaigned, raised thousands of pounds for charity and educated over the last two years, but I will always strive to do more – to speak up for those who don't have a voice and most importantly, to help the innocent children of this world who were born into this utter hellscape.

Amidst a genocide that has tragically claimed the lives of over 70,000 people (a conservative estimate), including over 21,000 children, the children of Gaza hold simple hopes...food, clothing, peace & the opportunity to learn once more.

As a mother myself, the children of Gaza continue to be on my mind every day. When I tuck my daughter into her warm bed at night, when I put on my dry, comfortable clothing every morning and every hot meal I am grateful to eat with a roof over my head.  A grade 5 famine is still raging in Gaza and if these thousands of men, women and children must live and die in the most horrific ways while your government uses your taxes, then we all can do something about it NOW. 

Time is running out. ACTIONS, NOT WORDS.

I refuse to be silent. We must not be apathetic. Do you want to join me in making a difference?

I have the utmost privilege of running the London Marathon on Sunday the 26th of April in aid of MAP – Medical Aid for Palestinians. This is a charity close to my heart, as I not only have taken part in their Stride for Gaza campaign in 2024, but I raised a total of £3500 running two previous marathons for them.

Why are they an important charity to support? MAP's vision is a future where all Palestinians can access an effective, sustainable and locally-led system of healthcare, and the full realisation of their rights to health and dignity. 

They have programmes in the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and Lebanon, which are all designed and delivered by Palestinians, provide access to essential health services and build local knowledge and skills to address Palestinian health problems.

If you want to find out more information about their crucial work visit their website here: https://www.map.org.uk/what-we-do/

I promise you I am going to train my socks off for this. You guys know me!! I don’t do anything by halves. I have always wanted to run London Marathon again and to do it for a cause so close to my heart means so much.

See you at the finish line! And always, FREE PALESTINE!

In solidarity,

Yasmine x