Dear friends, 

I'm joining The Big Ride this year to raise money for Cycling & Sports equipment for children in Gaza. We're cycling from Manchester to Birmingham over 2 days - quite a challenge for me! The money will go to The Middle Eastern Children's Alliance (MECA) who will use it to offer children in Gaza's refugee camps a chance to learn and practice different sports. Please read on below for more information about the plight of many children in the region and donate what you can if you want to support my efforts! 

Many thanks for whatever you can give. 

Michele

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Successive attacks on Gaza by Israeli government forces have traumatised children and caused psychological problems. Physical activity improves mental and physical health so raising money for  sports equipment for Gaza schools seems a just and worthy cause.

What is the problem the project is addressing?

The UN estimates 300,000 children in Gaza show signs of severe psychological distress including bed-wetting, nightmares, aggression, and difficulty eating, sleeping or speaking. Gaza is one of the most densely populated places in the world and there are few places for children to play, especially in the refugee camps. Social restrictions further impede girls' access to outdoor sports.

The Middle Eastern Children's Alliance (MECA) will use your donations to offer children in Gaza's refugee camps a chance to learn and practice different sports. Young women and men will teach volleyball, football, running, cycling and more to 600 children at UN schools in the refugee camps.

The school yards are among the safest places in Gaza and will bring activities to the children so they don't have to leave their neighborhoods. We will also organize open sports days for families to involve the parents and siblings in the project.

What is the potential long-term impact of this project?

Studies show that physical activity reduces mental health
problems. This project will contribute to psychosocial efforts to help children in Gaza to heal and make them more resilient against the risks of severe anxiety, depression, aggression and withdrawal. The project is particularly vital for girls who rarely have the chance to learn and practice sports. This is just the pilot phase and we plan to expand the project to more locations in the future.

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