From Manchester to The Hague

MediaCity, Salford. On Thursday, 21 August 2025 at 4pm, foster carer Raja Aslam of Olive Branch Fostering will begin a remarkable ultra-running challenge, a journey from MediaCity in Salford all the way to The Hague, Netherlands.

Running approximately half a marathon (13 miles) each day, Raja’s ambitious quest is a heartfelt bid to raise both awareness of fostering and vital funds for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), unlocking life-changing opportunities for young people.

Originally from the region surrounding The Hague, Raja moved to Manchester at age 10, making both the start and finish of his run deeply meaningful to him. Over several days, this inspiring journey will stretch across the UK and Europe, with each stride symbolising the transformative power of fostering and youth empowerment.

This challenge is proudly supported by the entire BSN Social Care family, a network comprising of Olive Branch Fostering, Nexus Fostering, Unity Fostering Foster Care, AFA Fostering, Calon Cymru Fostering, and Blue Sky Fostering. All agencies share a unified mission: championing fostering and enabling young people from diverse backgrounds to flourish.

Each agency reflects a shared dedication to excellence: Blue Sky Fostering, Nexus Fostering, Olive Branch Fostering, and AFA Fostering hold Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ ratings, while Calon Cymru Fostering is approved by CIW.

            “Fostering transforms lives, not only for the children, but for us foster carers too,” says Raja. “I wanted to do something bold to show what’s possible when you have the right support, belief, and opportunities, and that’s what the whole BSN community and the DofE champion every single day.”

You can follow Raja's progress on the UK leg of his adventure on Strava each day, either on the app, or with the following links below: