In November 2016 I will travel with a group to Israel, to cycle through the Galilee region over a 5 day period. I am raising funds to help with the refurbishment of the paediatric department of the EMMS Nazareth Hospital. This establishment, also known to the locals as either The Scottish Hospital or The English Hospital, was founded in 1861 by Dr Kaloost Vartan and in 1866 came under the auspices of the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society. Since then the hospital has grown to be the largest general hospital in the region and the only one with a 24 hour A&E capability. While maintaining its Christian ethos, it is staffed and provides care for the wide ranging needs of the population in the region, regardless of background and bank balance. In the last couple of years it has developed a mobile clinic capability to isolated villages in the West Bank, as part of its wider work of compassion and reconciliation.

It is this positive message that the hospital espouses, that is taking me back after 7 years, for a second fund raising trip. Thank you for your support and encouragement.

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