Hi all,

I'm taking part in the Big Ride for Palestine 2025 to support the Gaza Sunbirds Paracycling team, and I need your help.

The Gaza Sunbirds are an incredible team of para-athletes based in Gaza and was founded by Alaa al-Dali, an Olympic hopeful cyclist who was shot in the leg by a sniper in 2018 leading to the amputation of his leg from the knee down. He refused to give up on his dream and channelled his energy into establishing an amputee cycling team within Gaza — the Gaza Sunbirds, with the hope of defying the odds to compete in Paris 2024. Alaa went on make a historic debut, competing for Palestine in the 2024 Paracycling Road World Championships in Zurich.

I'm fundraising to support the Gaza Sunbirds so that they may continue in their mission to represent Palestine on a global stage. They're the first Palestinian cycling team competing internationally, and their journey is nothing short of legendary. They aren't just athletes, they're also hope for Gazans and deliver much needed aid; despite the hardship they face, they remain resolute and determined to support their communities with hot meals, shelter, baby essentials, toys, and of course, bike repairs.

I'm fundraising with a target of £800 to support the Gaza Sunbirds in their mission. Every contribution we make will help them continue their work and inspire future generations of Gazans that anything is possible, despite the trauma of losing so much, including their very limbs as a result of the brutal onslaught they endure on a daily basis.

The Big Ride for Palestine 2025 will cover 30 miles or so, it'll be mostly flat, though I'm sure there'll be a few climbs thrown in for good measure! When the pulse races, the sweat drips, and the legs burn, I'll find inspiration to finish in the hope and sheer determination the Sunbirds and all Gazans display in the face of immesurable adversity.

Please donate what you can. Remember that Just Giving adds a 'tip' option to donations which you can change to £0 (you might have to do this twice). The donation process can take you through to PayPal; however, you don’t need a PayPal account—just scroll down to pay using your debit or credit card without logging in.

Filastin Hurra!