Supporter Spotlight: Anat takes on Valencia Marathon

Originally, running for charity hadn’t even been the plan. Anat had hoped to register independently, but when places were already full, she discovered the option to take part by fundraising for a cause. As she explored the charities involved, Women for Women International stood out immediately.

As she learned more about Women for Women International’s work, the decision felt natural. Our holistic approach, combining education, practical skills and psychosocial support, resonated deeply with her own experiences of recovery and rebuilding.

As I learned more about the organisation’s work, I was genuinely inspired by its mission and impact, and choosing it felt natural and aligned with my values.

While the marathon itself was a solo effort, Anat’s fundraising journey quickly became a collective one. Through honest storytelling and consistent updates, she invited others into her experience, reminding people that donating, or even simply sharing the link, could make a meaningful difference.

The highlights were the genuine engagement, heartfelt messages of encouragement and the willingness of people to contribute, even in humble amounts.

For Anat, this sense of connection became one of the most powerful aspects of the experience, a reflection of the same collective strength that underpins Women for Women International’s programmes around the world.

Crossing the finish line was a moment of deep significance. Completing 42 kilometres represented far more than physical endurance; it marked how far she had come after years of setbacks, injury and rebuilding, and how that journey could now help support others.

Completing 42 kilometres was not just a physical achievement, it was a symbol of recovery, resilience and persistence.

The race was not without its challenges. Long-distance running demanded learning how to sit with discomfort, both physical and emotional, and continue moving forward, step by step. This meant realising that you can’t overcome challenges by avoiding them, but by moving through them with patience and determination.

Every step carried deeper meaning. Anat even chose her bib number intentionally: 30109, her date of birth, a reminder, as she puts it, that she was “born to live, and to support others in living”. For Anat, running the marathon became a celebration of survival, strength and the power of shared purpose, with every step taking on deeper meaning as it supported women who have faced extreme hardship.

When asked what advice she’d give to others considering fundraising, Anat’s words are simple but powerful: choose a cause you believe in, be honest and trust that small actions add up.

Anat’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when personal resilience meets collective action. By turning an unexpected opportunity into a fundraising effort, she didn’t just complete a marathon, she stood alongside women survivors of war, helping to ensure they have the tools, support and opportunities to rebuild their lives with strength and dignity.

I truly believe that when strength is shared, it grows.

Anat, thank you for your courage and generosity. Your incredible achievement, and the community you brought together along the way, continues to inspire us, and the women we serve.