8 years ago I went to the West Bank as a Human rights Observer and saw first hand the stark contrast between the poverty and lack of resources..particularly water, of the Palestinians, compared with the lush well watered habitat in  the Settlements..I have visited 3 times since, and last year went on MAP's memorable 'Cycle Palestine 2015'. When I heard about 'the Big Ride ' and it's commitment to the children in Gaza (MECA) and Campaign Against the Arms Trade (CAAT) I knew I must once again get training....

This will be a protest ride. Groups from London, Manchester, Sheffield and Bristol will cycle for 2 days (100 miles for me) and meet in Birmingham on Sunday 7th August. On Monday 8th, all 4 groups will cycle 18 miles to the Elbit UAV factory at Shenstone which makes military drones that killed so many children in the Gaza onslaught of 2014. War is counter productive : it solves nothing, yet creates the horrors we saw and the refugees fleeing the mayhem of its destruction.

If politicians allocated half the monies spent on Arms sales to reconciliation and peace generating projects( which recognise inequalities and injustices, ) we would be in a more secure world where every human being is welcomed as an equal.

Let us generate the inherent goodness that is in all mankind and work for a better, more humane future.....for us all..