Hundreds of compassionate Londoners gathered at Greenway Park on Saturday to show their solidarity with Palestine by participating in the ‘Run for Palestine’ event. This not-for-profit organization is dedicated to fundraising for various humanitarian projects in the Middle East and Canada.
The event, now in its 6th annual iteration, provided participants with the option to either walk 1km or run 5km, all in the name of raising funds for crucial causes. Among the projects supported by ‘Run for Palestine’ are the enhancement of the neonatal unit at Al-Makassed Hospital in Jerusalem, scholarships and support for the Canadian Palestinian Professional Foundation (CPPF), and donations to the neonatal intensive care unit at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC).
Nehal AL Tarhuni, one of the event’s organizers, expressed pride in supporting a local charity for the first time. “We’re mostly from London, so we love giving back to the community, especially for a much-needed cause,” she stated.
In a conversation with CTV News, Al Tarhuni revealed that the organization has partnered with Islamic Relief Canada, a humanitarian organization operating in over 40 countries, to improve the health and well-being of Palestinian mothers and babies.
Since its inception in 2018, ‘Run for Palestine’ has been holding events in cities across Canada and has successfully raised over $500,000 for various charitable projects. In 2022, their fundraising efforts contributed over $166,802, which were used to purchase much-needed medical equipment for the maternity department at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza.
For this year’s event, the organizers set an ambitious goal of raising $30,000, aiming to continue their mission of raising awareness and funds for Palestine. The event ran from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and featured live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, and prizes, creating a festive and supportive atmosphere for participants and attendees alike.
For those who couldn’t attend the event in person but still wish to contribute to the cause, ‘Run for Palestine’ offers the option to make online donations through their website.
The event’s success not only underscores the dedication of Londoners to humanitarian causes, but also reflects the growing global support for Palestine and its people.
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