When Pinner teacher Fatema Chagpar started her running journey in lockdown, she didn’t realise it would turn into a mission to show girls and those who wear headscarves that they can do anything.
Fatema is part of the Stanmore Jafferys (SJ), a community-based sports organisation affiliated to a mosque in Stanmore.
Fostering sisterhood and inspiring people through sport, this year SJ offered places for the London Marathon – an opportunity Fatema was keen to take.
Together with 20 other SJ members, she raised £2,040 to help support children’s education in Tanzania.
However, her desire to run the marathon stemmed deeper than this amazing cause.
Fatema dedicated her run to her daughter, Aasiya, to “show [her] and anyone else who needs to hear it, that we are capable of doing hard things”.
Training in cold winter months and throughout Ramadan, Fatema shared “it taught me so much about myself”.
Despite suffering an injury two weeks before the marathon, Fatema smashed the challenge.
She said: “The streets were buzzing with energy, the crowds all wanting you to get to the finish line and calling out your name.
“Everybody has a story on that day, and I just wanted to be part of that moment.
“My husband has been my biggest supporter throughout this journey, and I couldn’t have done it without him.”
Fatema is a teacher at Pinner Park Primary School and inspired her students to take park in the mini marathon, which is a 2.6k run for children.
Speaking to Pinner News, Fatema said: “If my journey inspires even one person to lace up, step out their comfort zone, and take on hard things, then every step I take means even more.”
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