Derry and Donegal doctors and healthcare workers will kick off a cycle/walk from Malin Head to Mizen Head this Saturday to raise money for medical aid for Gaza.
The 18-strong group is also made up of people from all walks of life from the two counties, who will undertake the 6-day 690 km-long sponsored journey.
In addition, they are holding a sponsored swim on Culdaff Beach in Inishowen, Co Donegal, on Sunday 18th May.
It’s estimated that more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7th October 2023, including more than 17,000 children.
“We are a group of citizens from a range of backgrounds in Donegal and Derry,” says Derry GP Joe McEvoy. “We’re united by feelings of helplessness and disbelief as we watch the ongoing horror in Gaza. We are GPs, healthcare workers, community workers, bus drivers, ex-Irish army, teachers, retailers and parents. We are travelling through the heartlands of the country on bicycles and on foot, to meet with others, to raise funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians, to express our sorrow and solidarity.”
A group of the fundraisers will cycle from Malin Head to Mizen Head over a period of 6 days, from May 10th to the 16th. Another group will do a walk each day as they travel south.
The walk on day one will be in Donegal, from Creevy Pier (between Rossnowlagh and Ballyshannon) to Ballyshannon and back. Meeting up at Creevy at 12 noon. All welcome.
Inishowen GP, Dr Áine Abbott, described her feelings about the situation in Gaza. “It’s like watching someone being drowned and not being able to help.
“Doing something physical is our way of shouting ‘No’. Mike Ryan, Director of WHO, described the numbers of children with devastating injuries as ‘an abomination’ and we agree. Across the country people are struggling to express their feelings.
“So, we hope they will join us along the way, to walk, to shout support, or to swim, with us or in their own neighbourhood.”
Participant Marelle O’Neill, a Derry-based healthcare manager, is organising these walks. “To do nothing is unbearable, so this is our way of raising funds for MAP and also raising awareness among ourselves and others.”
The group will leave Malin Head at 7am on Saturday 10th May and their route will take them through Bundoran, Carrick-on Shannon, Portumna, Rathkeale, Killarney and Mizen.
You can find details of the daily walks on their Facebook Page: Cyclewalkswim-for-Gaza
If you want to donate, you can go to their Go Fund me page, Cycle-Walk-Swim for Gaza.
Medical Aid for Palestinians have been working since 1982 to provide healthcare for all citizens in the Palestinian territories.
They are among the limited groups who have been able to provide emergency healthcare workers and resources when blockades have allowed over the last year.
They have offices in Gaza, West Bank, East Jerusalem and Lebanon.
