Pathways To Palestine

international | rights, freedoms and repression | press release

Monday May 25, 2009 22:21

by Grainne Quinn - Pathways To Palestine

grainne at pathwaystopalestine dot com

Waterford

0872181545

Upcoming launch for Pathways To Palestine, affiliated with MAP [Medical Aid Palestine ] this Wednesday. The 4000 mile cycle aims to raise money for humanitarian aid and awareness of the plight of ordinary civilians in Gaza.

4 Students.
4000 miles.
14 countries.
40 days.

MAY 2009

Irish cyclists intend to “sell/phlog” their journey to Gaza.

For some of us cycling to work might seem like a bit of an ordeal,
perhaps it’s a little dangerous and you arrive over-heated. Starting
on the May 27 four Irish students will take these discomforts to whole
new level as they set out on a 4000 mile journey to the Middle East
and Gaza, and you can follow them mile after torturous mile thanks to
the marvels of technology! When Eoghan Quinn (21), a type-1 diabetic
from Waterford, Ireland learned of the continuing blockade on Gaza he
related to the vulnerability of the civilians more than most. “As a
diabetic my health is determined by my ability to access medicine,
when growing up the desert island scenario always crosses your mind
... how would I survive without the support of a modern healthcare
system? I felt I should use my fortunate circumstances to help those
cut off from the most basic of necessities”.

Back in Glasgow, where Eoghan studies environmental and town planning,
he discussed the idea amongst a group of friends and ‘Pathways to
Palestine’ (P2P) was born. By coincidence (or perhaps due to
temperament) it so happened that all of the team were Irish. Ronan
Sheehan (21) also from Waterford immediately jumped at the opportunity
as “a challenging way of making a needed humanitarian gesture” adding
"we are now training up to 5 hours a day in preparation for the trip
... its exhausting but once exams are over it will get a lot easier".
Leaving from Glasgow on the 27th May the team will go straight to the
ferry and embark on the Irish leg of their journey, travelling through
Belfast, Derry, Letterkenny, Ballyshannon, Sligo, Galway, Ennis,
Limerick, Tipperary and Waterford. The Irish leg provides a chance to
test the team's fitness, equipment and attract sponsors to finalise
the purchase of a support vehicle before sailing to France on June 22.
The vehicle will be driven by student physiotherapist John Lyttle (24)
from Derry who will no doubt develop his skills as the journey wears
on.
As they travel the P2P team can be tracked live via their website and
instead of blogging they will 'phlog' (phonecast) their journey via a
satellite phone that records direct to their website. The 4000 mile
cycle will take 40 days, passing through at least 14 countries cycling
a minimum of 100 miles per day. The planned route takes the students,
who have little cycling experience, over the foothills of the Alps;
across the deserts of Syria; through the lowest point on the planet,
before finishing in Gaza.

Selling the Journey!
Pathways to Palestine intend to raise money for the renowned charity
Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). While all donations no matter how
small are welcome, they hope to encourage donations by ‘selling’ their
4000 mile journey. One mile ‘costs’ €25 or £20, and once you 'buy'
your mile (=1.6km) you will receive an email detailing its actual
location. Thanks to GPS and web technology, once your mile has been
completed by the team you will received an automatic email
confirmation. Team member Gearóid Ó Cuinn (29, Waterford) explains:
"This is great way to let people get involved with our trip, rather
than giving money and never hearing from us again. Thanks to our
'phlogging' system they can follow our progress in a much more user
friendly and informative way".

Following the recent invasion of Gaza, MAP's Gaza Emergency Appeal is
concentrating its efforts to support:
●Victims with Burns Injuries - MAP is launching a programme to supply
equipment and train surgical and nursing staff in the treatment of
severe burns throughout Gaza.
●Young Mothers - MAP is setting up a specialist midwife emergency
hotline to ensure that mothers receive support from trained
professionals, supporting high risk pregnancies and delivery in times
of crisis.

For more information:
Tel: (Éire) 0872181545
(UK) 07726466211
Email: info@pathwaystopalestine.com
Visit our website or donate online: www.pathwaystopalestine.com

Dates:
May (Irish section)
Thursday 28th: Arrive into Belfast from Glasgow.
Friday 29th: Belfast-Derry.
Saturday 30th: Derry - Letterkenny - Sligo.
Sunday: 31st Sligo-Galway
Monday: 1st June Galway-Limerick
Tuesday: 2nd Limerick-Co.Tipperary (mountain training)