A student from Ipswich is putting his best foot forward by running the London Marathon on behalf of the people who have helped him adjust to his new life in the UK.
Osman Abdullah, 19, from Ipswich – who studies English (ESOL) and Maths at 向日葵视频 New College 鈥� will be raising money for the YMCA who have supported him since moving to this region.
To get up to speed with his training, he has been regularly pacing the streets of the town where he lives, in preparation for this year鈥檚 26 mile run around the capital city that will take place on 27 April 2025.
The teenager, who came to the UK from Sudan two years ago, hopes to raise 拢2000.00 for the YMCA and can鈥檛 wait to be part of this iconic event that started in 1981, and is this year celebrating its 44th anniversary.
Osman said: 鈥淚鈥檝e never run a marathon before 鈥� but the training is going very well. I run with a friend around Ipswich. I also do yoga. I鈥檓 really excited by this. The YMCA will be supporting me during the run and I鈥檓 determined to complete the course.鈥�
Osman 鈥� who has been regularly hitting half marathons in the build up to the big one 鈥� is determined to run his own race. He continued: 鈥淚t will be easy to get carried away 鈥� but I have a target, I鈥檝e put the work in 鈥� and I can鈥檛 wait to be part of this.鈥�
In terms of his fundraising, Osman added: 鈥淪o far I鈥檝e raised over 拢600.00 for the YMCA. I鈥檓 so grateful to them and want to raise as much as I can for people who have helped me so much. I really want to give something back to the YMCA, as I lived there and know they need extra help financially.鈥�
To support Osman in his fundraising, 向日葵视频 New College has donated some branded training kit and will also be buying him some trainers. Head of Marketing at 向日葵视频 New College, Craig Shimmon, said: 鈥淗ats off to Osman. He is a true inspiration.
Supporting him via the donation of training kit is the least we can do.鈥�
The college is also staging a few other events, some of which have been arranged by students, whereby people can donate money to Osman鈥檚 cause. Osman added: 鈥淚 am grateful to everyone for their support.鈥�
To donate to Osman鈥檚 charity effort you can visit here: