Fulwood woman takes on the Ration Challenge to support refugees

The ration box that participants receive.

A Fulwood woman has taken on The Ration Challenge to raise money for refugees.

Mary Roberts, a curriculum manager at The Seasiders Centre Blackpool, has been eating the equivalent of the rations a Syrian refugee receives along with five colleagues.

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Mary said: “It’s been tough, we’re not feeling great and lacking energy.

“There is no sugar or caffeine!

“I think some of us would quite like to never see a bowl of rice again!”

Mary saw the challenge on Facebook and thought it would be a great opportunity to show empathy for the many refugees and asylum seekers that study at the centre and to celebrate their inspirational stories.

The Seasiders Centre is an adult education centre based at Blackpool Football Club which takes students to study English, maths, ICT, ESOL and employability.

The Seasiders Centre Ration Challenge team.

One Syrian refugee that attends The Seasiders Centre said: “In search of a safe place, a better life for us and the future of our children, we came to this wonderful country that provided us with all the necessities of life we will not find it in our country, Syria, the country that has been suffering for ten years until now.

“Every day I discover that the British are a symbol of humanity and human rights in every sense of the word.

“There is no word that expresses our gratitude to all of you and we respect every step you contribute, thank you very much.”

In 2019, 4,000 people across the UK took part in the challenge, raising almost £1 million to provide emergency food, hygiene kits and life-saving support to refugee communities.

You can donate to Mary and team via their fundraising page

Would you take part in the Ration Challenge? Let us know in the comments below