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Cyclists to pedal 300km across Netherlands for Cycling4Gaza
A former rugby player turned cyclist will be one of four Palestinian women pedalling 300km across the Netherlands raising awareness and funds for a mental healthcare programme supporting children in Gaza.
Miral Alaraj and her friends are the faces behind Cycling4Gaza, a charity bike ride that has taken place since 2009, started by a group of youngsters affected by the military attacks on Gaza. The annual event brings people together for three days to cycle between major cities. Alaraj became involved with the project in 2013, turning to cycling during her rehabilitation from a rugby injury, putting the wheels in motion for C4G ever since.
Alaraj and friends, Zara Hannoun, sisters Zara and Natasha Hannoun and C4G co-founder Tamara Ben-Halim have all either grown up or worked in the UAE, with 25 cyclists from the Emirates part of the 50-strong group setting off from Alkamaar Friday.
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They will head to The Hague, hoping to raise $286,000 for the Gaza Mental healthcare project, in partnership with the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF).
“I absolutely loved the idea and wanted to pick up a new sport,” said Alaraj. “I used to play rugby but hurt my shoulder so wanted to give something new a try. I picked up cycling to do this.”
Among the group this year will be 18-year-old double amputee Mutussam Abu Karsh, from Gaza, and 14-year-old Adham Balboul, a cancer patient from the West Bank.
“A lot of people coming have never met anyone from Gaza or West Bank, so it’s important to be able to place the cause,” added Alaraj, 28, who said the C4G group are well on their way to raising their massive target.
“We’re really pushing to reach our target. Last year the cyclists raised $250,000, without any corporate sponsorship, and it looks like the same will happen this year.”
UAE cyclists have been extremely active in fundraising, with money coming from iftars and barbecues in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
