Update: 18th March 2022

The 2020 Palestine Marathon was rescheduled for 18th March 2022. Denise & I are unable to make it but have kept our registration and paid the entry fee to run. My plan is to run 10k in Plymouth on March 18th and pretend I'm in Bethlehem - maybe I'll eat falafel and shawarma when I'm done.

Denise and I intend to visit Jeel Al-Amal on April 28th to hand over the money kindly donated.

Previous updates:

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS THAT THE RUN IN MARCH 2020 HAD TO BE CANCELLED.

BE ASSURED THAT THE MONEY WILL GET TO JEEL AL-AMAL AS SOON AS CIRCUMSTANCES ALLOW.

On March 27th I will be in Bethlehem running in the Palestine Marathon event along with my wife, Denise. I'm nowhere near in good enough shape to run a marathon through the hills of Bethlehem in 30 degrees heat. Instead we will be opting to run the 10km option and sit at the finish, eating falafel and drinking mint tea whilst watching the real runners finish the longer distances.

As many of you may know, I have visited Bethlehem many times in the past few years and have some amazing friends there. I've had the privilege to see some of the amazing work that many are doing to improve the lives of those who are victims of the political chaos in the region. Some of my heroes are the staff and volunteers of Jeel Al-Amal (Generation of Hope). The work of Jeel began when Basil and Alice Sahhar saw the need to provide a place of safety for orphaned boys that they came across in their neighbourhood. Currently around 65 boys live in the Home that they established and 230 children are educated in the School. Please take a few moments to watch this video that will show you the impact this special place is having. Jeel Al-Amal - Generation of Hope

All of the money donated on this page will go to Jeel. We have saved the money ourselves to cover transport and accommodation when there, so none of what you may give will go towards any of our expenses. This page is here mainly to enable people to give simply online. I will be raising funds elsewhere and will visit Jeel Al-Amal to see the children and hand over any money raised to my friend Najwa, who is Basil and Alice's daughter.

If you are able to, please support this incredible work.