With some fantastic donations we have met the original target of £500 with a week to go, so I have reset the target to £800! I have agreed to cover the justgiving administration charge myself - I guarantee that ALL the money donated will reach the two charities.

A group of 22 Derby people will be travelling to Israel-Palestine at the beginning of March, staying a week in Bethlehem. An important part of the tour will be a day-long visit to Hebron (the largest city in the West Bank) with which Derby is twinned. After a tour of the city we will be visiting a free school for orphans and a charity caring for deaf children. To raise funds for these two organisations many of us will be undertaking a 20-mile sponsored cycle ride around the Sea of Galilee.

The two charities in Hebron we are raising funds for are:-

* Hebron Muslim Youth Association School which offers free education, clothes and stationery for orphans.

* Alamal Society for Deaf Children which serves deaf children and also integrates children with hearing impairments into mainstream society, providing both groups with job opportunities despite high unemployment in the territory. ( http://www.starsfoundation.org.uk/awards/organisations/al-amal-society-deaf)

All money raised will be split equally between the two charities and passed on during our visit.

Your generosity will be much appreciated. Please make any donation before 28th February.