Music and sports have long been tools utilised to experience joy in the face of adversity, especially for Afghan communities who hold a history of using these mediums for building hope and creating change. As a dedicated athlete who loves listening to music while she runs, Efi was inspired to use her love of these two things to make a positive impact at this year’s London Marathon. She shares, “Running has always been a way for me to challenge myself, clear my mind, and find balance. But this time, it’s about something bigger…I’m competing not just for myself, but for Afghanaid, a charity doing vital work to support vulnerable communities in Afghanistan.” 

Efi's journey to the Marathon

Running for Afghanaid means a lot to Efi. “The situation in Afghanistan is one I’ve followed closely for a long time,” she shared, “I have friends from Afghanistan here in London, and their stories have given me a deeper understanding of the challenges Afghan families face every day as well as how rich and beautiful their culture and traditions are.”

So why the London Marathon? Whilst Efi’s relationship with exercise has evolved across the years, she has always kept a dedicated mindset, so when she began to embark on a new challenge each year, it felt only right to take on one of the biggest challenges of all: the London Marathon. Thankfully, Efi’s commitment to supporting others to build brighter futures makes every step worthwhile.

Training and racing with a purpose beyond myself makes every step more meaningful. It transforms running from a test of endurance into an act of resilience, empowerment, and proof that even the smallest actions—like putting one foot in front of the other—can create change.

Wherever Efi has gone, running has followed: whether it was a quiet desert run in Oman or a rainy one along the Brighton coast. It's also been a journey characterised by excitement and lots of opportunities to learn, to ensure she had the correct techniques to get her to the start line. “Training has been intense at times”, she explained “My training program really re-shaped my routine and in the beginning, I had to make sure not to over-do it, running regularly but also building up good muscle resistance. Now, I am running a steady 25 miles per week, hoping to keep it going a bit more until race day!” 

 

Creating change one step at a time

Efi also spoke to us about why she became such a passionate advocate for Afghanaid’s work: “Afghanaid’s work resonates with me because it goes beyond immediate relief; it empowers communities, especially women, to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Supporting families in Afghanistan is about solidarity. It’s about recognising our shared responsibility to ensure that people, no matter where they are, have access to basic rights, safety, and the chance to shape their own futures. I am really honoured to run for Afghanaid this year – to challenge myself and to help others with their challenges a little bit in return.”

Efi’s fundraising campaign enables her supporters to add a song of their choosing to her running playlist for every £5 they donate, with a special prize draw for the top three donors.

Check out her fundraiser by clicking here!