I signed up in June for ‘100km in July’ for Medical Aid for Palestinians, before the recent attacks on Jenin, but it is even more necessary now. I am unfit and not known for my physical activity when not moving for a specific purpose. I’m actually a volunteer Red Cross EMT but I will be out and about to raise money for MAP so they can continue their important work.

I moved to Ramallah in February 2003, after the 2002 attacks on the Mukataa, and on the eve of the invasion of Iraq. I lived there for almost two years during the second intifada. The ‘Wall’ went up whilst I was there, I wrote a photoblog and a diary which documented what I saw in my day-to-day life as a university employee. In 2010 I went on a university exchange for a month to Jenin. I wish the photos I took 20 years ago, and the experiences I had, reflected acts that were a thing of the past. But they do not.

MAP work to provide access to effective, sustainable and locally-led systems of healthcare and the full realisation of the rights to health and dignity of Palestinians living under occupation and as refugees. Their work is crucial.

I started my 100km on Monday 3rd of July with a brief gentle 1.2 km walk in London, between two train journeys. In 2003 we were walking that just to cross Surda checkpoint.

The news may be dire, but MAP’s work makes a difference and it’s needed even more now. Please donate and I’ll keep you posted about my endeavours, there might even be some photos…