Roughly 70 children have been killed in the recent conflict in Gaza and the West Bank. Much of this conflict can be linked back to the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank in the Six Years War, which took place from the 5-10th of June 1967. This six day period seemed a fitting time frame for such a fundraiser, with swimming 70 lengths a day certainly posing a real challenge for me over this timeframe - that's over a mile per day!

Here are my reasons for undertaking this challenge!

Over the past month lots of people have taken to social media to condemn the killing and endangerment of children by Israel and Hamas respectively. As did I, until I realized that none of these words matter to the families suffering as a direct result of this conflict. All these social media arguments only serve to widen the divides within our own society and distract us from really making a difference to those causes we claim to care about. 

Those families torn apart and displaced by a religious war of which they have no control over do not care for arguments posted to the internet 1000s of miles away. They care about medical aid, new homes, hospitals, and safety from the ongoing conflict. It's not our words that will provide these things, it is our money.

Rather than simply condemning Israel's abhorrent use of missile strikes in civilian areas,  I've decided to take up a new form of exercise and challenge myself in order to raise some money for a truly good cause. If nothing else, this fundraiser is to raise awareness of our own shortcomings: we speak too much, and do too little. We claim to care about others, and do little to actually help them. Be the difference!!!

I've not swam routinely (before last week) in over 7 years. This challenge will entail swimming over a mile a day for 6 days in a row (70 x 25m = 1,750m per day). Each length, each day, will be in memory of the innocent swept up and taken in a war which they likely did not even understand. Let each of their lives be used to help those left behind in Gaza and the West Bank, still suffering and terrified by this terrible conflict.

Any money will be massively appreciated and I thank all of you for anything given to this wonderful cause. If anyone wishes to  sponsor me conditionally for additional lengths (any 420<) then I will attempt to push myself further and swim more lengths for the children that will surely be killed in future by these monsters. For example: "For every additional 10 lengths I will add another £0.20 onto the sponsorship." 

Contact me via Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat or text if you choose to do so:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harvey.sykes.37

Instagram: harveysyykes

I'll leave you with the message given by the Red Cross in regards to their charity fund:

In response to the ongoing crisis, we've launched this appeal to help people affected by violence in Gaza, the West Bank including East Jerusalem, and Israel. Staff and volunteers of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are working round the clock often in dangerous conditions to alleviate suffering, save lives and provide vital aid. The appeal will help provide medical and humanitarian assistance, supporting the work of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Palestine Red Crescent and the Magen David Adom in Israel. The situation is critical and your support is greatly appreciated. Please note: The Occupied Palestinian Territories and Israel Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. In the unlikely event that we raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help us prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters anywhere in t