Hey everyone,

We know there have been countless calls for support to help people escape Gaza, but today, we're reaching out with something a little different. We have a legal pathway for this incredible family to leave Gaza and build a new life.

The Hand Up Project (HUP) knows this family well — they’re part of our HUP family. Ashraf has secured a fully funded PhD at The University of Bath, and with your support, he can bring his entire family to the South West of England. This is a chance for them to start fresh, away from violence & famine.

But this is an urgent appeal for your support.

To make this possible, we need to raise money to cover 7 visas for Ashraf and his family, along with the healthcare surcharge that the UK Home Office requires. Without these funds, we can’t even begin the visa application process. The money needs to be paid upfront before we can submit the applications.

Why this matters:

This isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about hope. It’s about giving Ashraf and his family a real chance at safety, stability, and a future they can build with their own hands. Ashraf has earned this PhD. This is his moment to contribute, to grow, and to make a difference. With your support, we can help his family escape Gaza and give them the opportunity they deserve.

How You Can Help:

Donate: Every donation goes directly toward the visa and healthcare surcharge costs. We’re counting on each and every one of you to help make this happen.

Share: Spread the word. Share this with your friends, family, colleagues—anyone who believes in helping others, especially when a clear and legal opportunity is on the table.

Importantly, we need to hear from Ashraf:

"I’ve been involved with Hands up since 2017, mostly as a volunteer, but since the genocide started as HUP’s northern Gaza coordinator. In 2022 I conducted ground breaking research on the impact of online hup link ups with very large governmental school classes in Gaza. More recently I founded the ‘Stories Alive’ project to teach English through stories to traumatized children of all ages in northern Gaza and this project is still going now; I’ve even written a book, which we’re using in the sessions - ‘Stories Reborn’ I love the Hands up Project and everything it stands for, but as everyone knows the situation in Gaza is now absolutely unbearable and I need to put the needs of my family first. I’m so grateful to the university of Bath for offering me a PhD scholarship and I’ll conduct extensive research to amplify the work of HUP in academia. Most importantly I’m dreaming of being in a safe place where Heba, Ahmed, Yazan, Lama and I can live a normal life without the threat of constant bombing and starvation."

Breakdown of the costs to cover the 4 year PhD programme:

Per person:

Visa Application = £561.55

Healthcare surcharge = £3,754.89

Total cost for 7 people = £30, 215.08

Family members are husband and wife Ashraf & Heba with their children Ahmed (15), Yazan (14) Lama (13) Hazem (10) & Yaman (3).

Time is running out, and we need to act fast. This is a real, legal pathway—it’s ready to go, but we need the funds to move forward. Your generosity could make all the difference.

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