Hi, my name is Lopa and I'm an emergency medicine doctor from London! 🙂 I'll be running my first marathon in Amsterdam on Sun 18th Oct 2026 to raise money for Boat Refugee Foundation🏃🏽‍♀️✨

Boat Refugee Foundation (BRF) is a small Dutch NGO that provides integrated physical and mental health support to asylum seekers and refugees in Mavrovouni camp on the island of Lesvos, Greece. It is run by medical and non-medical volunteers and translators, some of whom used to previously live in the camp.

BRF may be the first time many people on the move have had any kind of healthcare since embarking on the often long and treacherous journey from their home country. It is one of the only NGOs in Lesvos that is based fully within the camp and they offer primary health care, mental health reviews, counselling, first aid, transfers to hospital, referrals to other services/NGOs and medical outreach drives into the camp for those too sick to come to the clinic.

I volunteered as a medic with BRF in Spring 2025 and it was one of the most challenging but inspiring things I've ever done in my life. I witnessed firsthand the vital work they do and help they offer to some of the world's most vulnerable populations. The network of volunteers and translators are some of the most resilient and impressive people I've had the pleasure of meeting and working with. BRF is fantastically well run and an excellent example of humanitarianism done well. 

In an ever polarised world with increasing global health funding cuts, BRF's practical support and advocacy is more important than ever. It is truly a life line to many adults and children who have nowhere else to turn. 

So, whether you are amazed/appalled at the prospect of me running a full marathon or want to contribute to a genuinely meaningful cause today, please feel free to donate here! Even the smallest amount can make a difference. 

Thank you 💙