Thursday, 26 June 2025
The Big Ride, cycling from the Orkneys to Lands End
Members of Halifax Friends of Palestine gathered in Hebden Bridge on Wednesday to greet Ray Meen who is cycling from The Orkneys to Lands End raising funds to support Shu'fat refugee camp. The camp is located just north of Jerusalem and is home to 40,000 refugees, half of whom are children.
Shu'fat is separated from the city by an 8 meter wall, illegal settlements and a single checkpoint.
Since Israel halted the work of the United Nations Relief Agency Shu'fat is in desperate need.
The Big Ride is sponsored by War on Want and Jews for Justice for Palestinians and other organisations. It will help establish a Cerebral Palsy and Speech and Language Therapy Unit.
Ray said, "I am really touched by the support I've had from groups along the way. I hope people will donate through my gofundme page
Jenny Lynn, Friends of Palestine organiser said "Ray is highlighting the needs of a Palestinian refugee camp in Jerusalem which is isolated from support but isn't getting the publicity it needs."
"As we waited for Ray we shared memories of Ron Taylor who has been to the West Bank many times working with Israeli peace activists and Palestinians. Ron's work carries on through activists like Ray and local campaigners who have recently got the Co-op to stop selling Israeli goods and Vocation Beer to stop exporting to Israel."
Thanks to Roger O'Doherty for this report
Number 15 of Ron Taylor's Postcards from Palestine - scroll to the bottom of the page and there are links to the other 14.