Why every mile counts: The Palestine Relay Launch
published: 1 April 2026
Gina is an ABCD trustee who has worked across the non-profit sector, including organisations working in Syria, as well as with the NHS during COVID. This led her to ABCD, which she explains is an “organisation that actually listens and responds to the needs of communities in Palestine”.
In March, Gina took part in ABCD’s Palestine Relay Launch, a special event where the team and supporters came together to raise funds and awareness for children with disabilities.
Hope Through Hearing is a really key project we’re running at the moment. It’s a campaign which is raising money to build an audiology centre in Al Am’ari camp, a project developed in direct response to local need that aims to give children access to hearing services that would otherwise be out of reach. The Palestine Relay is part of this, which brings people together to raise money and awareness by collectively covering the distance from London to Bethlehem.
On March 28 2026, a group of us came together to walk the Palestine Relay Launch: Green Park to Greenwich, which was designed to kick off the bigger Palestine Relay. It was a really lovely mix of people, with some joining an ABCD walk for the first time and others who’ve supported the charity for years. What stood out straight away was how everyone arrived with the same shared purpose.
Taking on the walk
The first stretch through central London was busy, especially heading towards the river, but that quickly gave way to quieter moments where we could properly chat and get to know each other. It was great hearing why people had chosen to take part and how they were contributing to the wider Palestine Relay, whether through walking, running or other activities.
Arriving in Greenwich brought a real sense of achievement. It wasn’t just about completing the walk, but about doing it together and knowing it was contributing to something bigger.
We split into smaller groups along the way depending on pace, but regrouped at the halfway point for lunch. That was probably one of my favourite moments, catching up, sharing how it had been going, and having a chance to pause before setting off again.
There were definitely points that felt more challenging! Just after halfway, the rain started, and the route became a lot quieter. For a while, it felt like we were the only people around, and the distance ahead suddenly seemed much longer. But pushing through that stretch made finishing feel even more rewarding. Arriving in Greenwich brought a real sense of achievement. It wasn’t just about completing the walk, but about doing it together and knowing it was contributing to something bigger.
Coming together for children with hearing loss
The Palestine Relay is all about that collective effort. Every mile, however you choose to do it, helps us move closer to our goal while raising funds for the audiology project, supporting children with hearing loss.
What I’d really want people to know is that anyone can get involved in the Palestine Relay! You don’t have to take on a huge challenge or be part of an organised walk; it can be something simple in your local area, at your own pace. Every mile counts, and it all adds up to something much bigger. It’s also a great way to connect with others and feel part of a wider community, all working towards supporting children through the Hope Through Hearing project – you can sign up for it here.
Thank you to everyone who walked with us, and to those who supported along the way.