From Aoife…

I was pregnant with our second child when the current war in Gaza broke out. A few weeks later, on remembrance day, we made banners with other families and marched with our eldest on our shoulders in support of Palestine, but I’ve done little else since. Instead I silenced the news and left social media for a year, as I couldn’t cope with the media coverage; of mothers rocking their children in shrouds, fathers carrying them through rubble, babies left to die in neonatal units, children bullied by IDF officers, and my sheer disbelief at the many people and governments finding any of that defensible. What a luxury to be able to turn off that reality; to focus on my pregnancy without confronting the experience of the many mothers living in Gaza and conflict zones the world over; to have my baby in the comfort of my own home, to have midwives and health institutions on hand when I needed it (which I did, a lot, for multiple family members around that time), to be able to access education, playgrounds, beds, food and water for them. What a luxury to know that I could keep them safe.

We named our second child Saoirse, the Gaelic word for freedom, and a name that rose in popularity following Ireland’s freedom from centuries of oppression in the 1920s. It’s my hope that Palestine’s children will find freedom one day, and that children in all conflict zones will experience peace, and exercise their right to a childhood. In the meantime, organisations like War Child exist to give children affected by conflict, support and give them hope for a better future.

Benny & I have never run anything close to a half marathon. The longest distance I’ve ever completed was 10k, and that was 9 years ago! And Benny managed to run 12k a few years ago. So we’ve both got our work cut out for us and would love your support to help get us past the finish line.

By making a donation, you will be making a difference to thousands of children whose lives have been turned upside-down by conflict. You’ll help War Child provide the emergency care and support they need to overcome the emotional and physical toll of conflict, as well as access to services to catch up on lost education that will help to transform their futures for the better.

Free Palestine.