13 June 2017
My support of MAP started in 2015 after visiting Shatila refugee camp in Beirut. Seeing the overpopulated ghetto, talking with young Palestinians who only know life as refugees with no legal rights, and seeing the old rusted “key of return” on the camp’s water tower was heartbreaking. The key, a symbol of 70 years of hope, revived my memories of childhood visits to East Jerusalem and my solidarity with the Palestinian people, their strength of community and perseverance. I read about the 1982 massacres in Shatila and Sabra camps and how Dr Ang Swee Chai who had been present during this awful 48 hours returned to the UK and founded MAP. In 2016 with an overwhelming passion to support MAP, I cycled 3,500km from London to Jerusalem. In my eyes, it was a cycle of a lifetime and with life and right to healthcare at the heart of it. I’ve worked as a physiotherapist for many years in the NHS and believe that access to healthcare should be for everyone without discrimination.
The entitled “Ride 4 Medical Aid” took 5 weeks, cycling more than 120km on average each day. It crossed 7 mountain ranges and hurt all over! 16th September was past the halfway mark and the anniversary of the Shatila and Sabra massacre, this kept me pushing on. You can read more about the ride here: www.ride4medicalaid.wordpress.com
So what’s next? The aim was to raise £53,000 for MAP’s physiotherapy project in Gaza. My continued goal is to reach this target. This year I will be running my first self-sufficient marathon and cycling 600 miles of the Appalachian Mountain range in the USA. There is no mountain I wouldn’t climb for this cause. Beyond that, a cycle from tip to tip of New Zealand. Having recently seen MAP’s projects in action with a focus on long-term develop and provision of healthcare, I am more inspired every day.
My fundraising page is www.justgiving.com/ride4medicalaid Help my legs to keep pushing the pedals!!