Will you #HaveAHeart this Valentine's Day?
Join me in running, cycling, or walking in the shape of a heart this Valentine's Day. Show your support for families separated by the UK's cruel family immigration policies.
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| Can you find a heart-shaped route near you? |
Why the hearts
February fundraising challenge
#HaveAHeart is my February challenge as part of my 2021 fundraiser for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI).
The UK Government separates families based on income
Fellow runner and immigrant Thia and I are trying to raise awareness of the UK's cruel immigration policies that separate families, most notably through an income requirement.
If you are British and have a non-British partner, this Government forbids you from living with your partner in the UK if you don't earn at least £18,600.
That's a figure that over 40% of Brits don't earn and especially impacts people who are young, female, non-white, and live outside London.
This is unacceptable. The Home Office literally tells people whose applications they reject that they can carry on a family life over video call.
We're all living through a pandemic now. We all know that video calls never can replace being with loved ones in person.
But this is the reality for tens of thousands of people who are told they cannot live as a family in the UK by their own government.
Create shapes of solidarity
If you believe every British citizen and resident has the right to their family life in the UK, please join us in creating heart-shaped route maps this Valentine's Day.
Tell the UK Government to #HaveAHeart.
How to participate
To show your solidarity, all you need to do is:
- Use a fitness app to run, walk, or cycle in the shape of a heart. Map out a route, or try freeforming a heart shape in a local park.
- Do this anytime from 8 to 14 February.
- Upload a photo of your heart route to social media and use the hashtag #HaveAHeart. If you're on Twitter, tag in @ReuniteDivFamil. Reunite Families UK provide support to families separated under this policy.
Need further instructions?
If you don't already use a fitness app and would like instructions on how to use one, JCWI has created an event instruction pack you can use.
Want to participate a different way?
Similarly, if you can't get out, but still would like to show your solidarity, create anything heart-shaped. Draw a heart, cook something heart-shaped - anything goes!
What else you can do
Write to your MP
Take action by writing to your MP to end the minimum income requirement for family visas.
Reunite Families UK have a template letter you can use. Enter your postcode at the bottom of the following link, and it will find your MP and provide you with a letter you can edit.
You can also read my blog post on the different ways the UK immigration system hurts people. At the end, you'll find a list of points to send your MP on all aspects of the immigration system that need reformed.
Donate to my fundraiser to fight for a fairer immigration system
If you would like to support the great work JCWI do, please also consider donating to my fundraiser.
JCWI provide support to immigrants impacted by the system, as well as taking legal action to fight for fairer policies.
Thank you for your support.
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