Cycling For Palestine
Fran has just taken part in the Big Ride for Palestine, a charity bike ride to raise money for the people of Palestine. Read about her experiences - and find out how you can still donate!
When I spoke to Kevin Courtney, former general secretary of the National Education Union, and known as ‘Cycling Kev’, I was immediately enthused by the Big Ride for Palestine and the idea of being able to do something practical to help the people of Palestine.
Having spoken at lots of demonstrations, then seeing the situation in Gaza unfold on our TV and social media, it is heartbreaking, and lots of people report feeling so powerless to do anything.
I also thought it would be a good way of raising awareness within PCS, following the unanimous agreement of this year’s motion to our conference, giving us a clear policy.
Full of enthusiasm, I immediately signed up for four weekends - Bristol, Birmingham, London and Newcastle. I was then contacted by Ceinwen, the organiser in Birmingham, who had heard from Kevin about what I was doing; she asked me to make a promotional video and speak at the evening event in Birmingham. I said yes to both.
It gave me motivation to get out on my bike for a few practice runs. I wasn’t too worried about the distances, all between 25 and 45 miles, over the course of a day. I am not used to cycling in large groups, or in strange cities, so I had a few worries about whether I would be good enough, or fast enough. I needn’t have worried. They say that they go at the pace of their slowest cyclist. Phew!
The Big Rides all raise money for the Gaza Sunbirds, a para-cycling team who, in light of the ongoing genocide, has reverted all its resources to providing community-led aid to Gaza.
I decided to set up a fundraiser, via PCS, raising money from donations to Medical Aid for Palestine.
My first ride was Bristol. I arrived with my bike in the back of my car, registered, and was immediately made welcome by the big crowd of riders and supporters. A few from PCS had come to wave me off, which was lovely, and James Davies, PCS head of campaigns, arrived with his bike to join me, so I had good company all day. I needn’t have worried though, the atmosphere was amazing, everyone was welcoming and friendly. Hundreds of us chanted, sang and cycled, with regular comfort breaks and food stations, and that feeling of solidarity kept us going all day.
Birmingham quickly followed, the longest one, at 44 miles. Again, a huge crowd of cyclists, of all ages and abilities, all united in our support for Gaza. Fantastic atmosphere, a beautiful ride to and from Coventry Cathedral, lots of goodwill and support, with delicious refreshments provided all day. Riding through Sparkhill in Birmingham, with the cheers and singing ringing in our ears, was something I won’t forget. The evening reception in the local church was great: my speech well received, I cycled back along the canal into the centre of Birmingham afterwards, absolutely buzzing.
London was the one I was most worried about, frightened of the city centre traffic, and worried about getting lost. Once I had navigated the train with my bike, and arrived at Peckham Mosque, again, the welcome was overwhelming. A huge number of riders converging on Westminster, and all across London, to the finish in North East London. It was another amazing day, and arriving alone with my bike, I left with a whole new list of friends.
Finally, Newcastle – my ‘home turf’. A gang of PCS reps joined me with their bikes, and a few more came to cheer us on. I saw lots of people I knew, once I recognised them under their cycling helmets, and the atmosphere didn’t disappoint. The singing and chanting was so invigorating, and the support for Palestine made it all worthwhile.
It’s been a brilliant month! Something so positive to get involved in, every penny raised will be crucial to the people of Gaza. Thanks to everyone who has supported and sponsored me – you can still donate on my JustGiving page. It means such a lot, and I think it has started more conversations within PCS about what I am doing, and why it is important. The Newcastle group have agreed to keep meeting up in the year ahead, I will join them when I get the chance, and it reminded me why I love getting out on my bike.
If you get the chance, join in next year. With the genocide unfolding before our eyes, in real time, it is something really worthwhile to be involved in, and when I stop aching, and reflect, I have made some amazing memories and raised money for an important cause, with the chants of Free Palestine still ringing in my ears.