On Saturday 3rd August, the UK's northern city of Manchester will host The Big Ride for Palestine 2019, an annual event which combines a love of cycling and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The event aims to raise awareness to the plight of children living in Gaza, where almost 2 million Palestinians live. More than 40% of Gaza's residents are children and young people, under 15 years of age.
The event is also raising money for the Middle East Children’s Alliance; a charity that specializes in working with children and young people, who have been traumatized by violence in the region.
Since 2015, The Big Ride for Palestine has raised nearly £150,000 for the Middle East Children’s Alliance, whose work includes healing and rehabilitating minors, who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
The Middle East Children’s Alliance provides services to the people of Gaza, which includes psychologists going into schools and community centre's, where they provide clinical support to children and young people.
According to Palestinian psychologist Khulud Salam, "We are dealing with children who have lost their homes or relatives. They isolate themselves. Some are very angry and some can’t focus."
"Others have night terrors and most are not doing well in school. We work closely with the whole family. We work with these children and help them to regain their childhood."
The Big Ride for Palestine will set off on Saturday 3rd August - at 9.30 AM - from outside of the Manchester Central Library, on St. Peter's Square.
Those taking part will then travel 44 miles across the city, before finishing at 5.30 PM, at the Birch Community Centre on Brighton Grove in Rusholme, M14 5JT.
Hussein Al-alak is the editor of Iraq Solidarity News (Al-Thawra)
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