On Sunday 19th May, the Kennington Bethlehem Link is hosting a fundraising walk in aid of our friends in Aida refugee camp, close to Bethlehem.

While the majority of the world’s attention has focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, life also has become increasingly challenging for residents of the West Bank.

Our contacts in Aida camp tell us that around 60% of families in the camp have lost their main source of income, while around 70 men and boys remain in custody without trial or charges. Among them is Anas Abu Srour, the Centre’s Executive Director, with whom our group has worked on numerous occasions, and whom we count as a dear friend. Further compounding problems on the ground, funding from international organisations, such as UNRWA, has been scaled back.

Our fundraising will go towards providing critical humanitarian aid, primarily food packages and medicine, delivered through a trusted local partner.

Our route on Sunday 19th May begins at St. Anselm's Church, Kennington Cross. It then takes in Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens, the US Embassy, Battersea Park and the Peace Pagoda, the Millbank Prison memorial, and the Burghers of Calais statue in Victoria Tower Gardens, in the shadow of the Houses of Parliament. Much of the route is along the River Thames path.